A SCHOOLGIRL from Darlington has her sights set on chart success as she prepares to release her first single.

Olivia Kate Smith is just 12-years-old but has already attracted the interest of record producers.

The youngster is releasing her first single, LilyPad, on September 9 and is currently working with record producers in Mansfield who contacted the family after being impressed by her vocals.

Dad Nathan said the family is excited about the single release and joked that whilst many families are sunning themselves on holiday, the Smith family are spending hours tucked away in recording studios working on Olivia’s music.

He said: “It is exciting and we’ve been working very hard.

“We must have spent 70-plus hours in recording studios with Olivia in the holidays.”

And despite her tender years, Olivia cites some soulful musicians as her inspiration, with Nina Simone, Nancy Sinatra and Amy Winehouse all influencing the youngster’s Bluesy sound.

Olivia will be performing in the region ahead of the single release, with a gig at The Beckfields in Stockton on Wednesday and another at the Hyena Club in Newcastle on the day of the single launch.

LilyPad will be available via itunes and spotify and a further four songs are expected to be released in the months following.