Saltburn teenager Faye Nesbitt hopes to become a professional singer, and her latest song has been written by an 82-year-old neighbour, Mary Allen.

Faye, a 15-year-old Huntcliff School pupil, likes classical, folk, pop and rock music and has performed at various events, including a concert with Cleveland's nationally-renowned folk performer, Vin Garbutt.

She won a Saltburn folk festival award last summer, sang at the town's community theatre in December, and did well at a folk festival near Blackpool.

Her new song is based on a poem written by Mrs Allen and has been recorded on to a CD. Mrs Allen can apparently write song lyrics in five minutes and thought Faye was Saltburn's answer to Charlotte Church - the young Welsh classical star who recently had a Top 40 dance hit.

The pair came together after Faye's father, Martin, saw Mrs Allen's poetry while carrying out a repair at her home. She began writing two years ago and has won a number of awards, including one from Saltburn Writers' Group. Mr Nesbitt writes music and accompanies Faye on guitar.

The resulting song, 'Heartache', is a true tale of first love and broken hearts, but with an optimistic chorus.

Faye plans to study performing arts at Redcar and Cleveland College.

She said: "I was about ten when I started singing at Saltburn Primary School. I do classical music at school and also enjoy folk.

"I don't really change my voice for each style, but folk tends to be gentler and slower."

Her fans include her mother, Pauline, a former sandwich business owner, and 19-year old brother Neil, a law and business student. The CD was made by Teesside University's Ken Hall at his Montrose Street studio.