A TEENAGER has come second in a national singing competition.

Hayley McKay, 15, won the under-15 regional heat of the Festival 4 Stars competition, which was held in Newcastle earlier this year.

Her success meant she qualified for the national final, held in Glasgow last week, when she just missed out on the top prize.

Hayley, of Church Row, Hurworth, was presented with her runner-up certificate by Shane Lynch, a former member of pop band Boyzone.

At the final, she sang two songs from the musical My Fair Lady - I Could Have Danced All Night and Wouldn't It Be Lovely? - in front of a judging panel and an audience of experts.

At the awards dinner after the finals, Hayley sang Colours of the Wind from the film Pocahontas.

Hayley, a year ten pupil at Hurworth School, said yesterday: "There were some really good singers there so I was glad to come second.

"Singing is something I have always enjoyed. I'd like to do it as a profession, it's my ambition."

Festival 4 Stars is an annual national competition for musical talent of all ages.