A STUDENT from Newton Aycliffe has had a taste of the music industry at an advanced pop school.

Claire Willmer, 17, a second- year student at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Darlington, had been invited to four pop schools, but this was her first advanced one.

The school, set up by Newcastle company Generator, develops young talent.

Claire's session was held in Studio 64 in Middlesbrough. At the end of the four-day course, the young hopefuls performed in a show.

Out of a group of 25, Claire was chosen as one of three soloists. She sang Sinead O'Connor's Nothing Compares To You and the whole group performed one of Claire's own songs.

Claire said: "It made me wake up to the real world, what it's really like to be in the music industry. I learnt a lot. It was exciting, but very hard work."

After completing her A-Levels, Claire hopes to study for a degree in performing arts.