AN aspiring singer is through to the regional finals of a nationwide talent contest.

Thirteen-yearold Samantha Lavery is hoping to win a place in the finals, performing at London’s O2 Arena.

She competes in the North-East round of the Open Mic competition at the Tyne Theatre, in Newcastle, on Saturday, October 27.

Samantha, who attends St Leonard’s School, Durham City, and is a regular at pubs and clubs in her home village of Coxhoe, performs covers of artists including Whitney Houston and Jessie J.

She said: “I love singing and do it all the time. It would be lovely to get to go to the O2. It would mean everything to me.”