A TALENTED violinist has won a BBC Fame Academy bursary of £1,500 to further her musical career.

Rachel Alban, a year ten pupil at Polam Hall School, in Darlington, won the bursary to buy a violin and develop her musical talents

The 14-year-old, who is a member of the Darlington and Dales Youth Orchestra, has been playing the violin since she was six and has already passed her grade seven examination with distinction.

The Fame Academy bursary was set up with money raised from the public's telephone voting during the TV series.

Each year, a number of schemes are run, giving away educational bursaries, instrument and equipment awards.

Rachel applied for the bursary in writing and was chosen on the basis of her talent, enthusiasm and dedication to succeed.

She said: "It has been a great year for me so far as I have won this bursary and been chosen to play in the Youth Orchestral course.

"It makes all of the difficult auditions seem really worthwhile."

Headteacher Marie Green, said: "Rachel is an extremely talented and dedicated violinist and I am certain that she will go far."