A SELF-TAUGHT guitarist and singer, song-writer has forced her way through to the regional finals of a national singing competitions.

Yasmin Taylor-Haroun is set to compete in the Open Mic UK contest next month, performing live in front of hundreds of spectators in Birmingham.

Miss Taylor-Haroun of Longdon, near Upton, said: "I felt so excited after I found out I got through the first audition last month, I was really proud of myself.

"I didn't think I was going to get through, there were so many people auditioning, and the judges only put around 20 of us through.

"My family are really proud of me and I feel vindicated after all the work paid off, I practised before the first audition everyday. Now I'm just concentrating on the regional finals and taking it each stage at a time.

"I'm really excited about the regional finals, I'll just keep on practising everyday until then too. I finish college, get home and then practice again.

"'m not sure what I'll play yet, whether it's one of my own songs or a recognised song. At the moment, I'm thinking "Latch" by Disclosure.

"I think there will be about 300 people there watching, and even if I don't get through, at least I can say I gave it my best and also that I performed in front of a big crowd at a major venue like the N.E.C."

The 19 year-old music and theatre student at Gloucester College was bought a guitar for her 13th birthday, and fell in love with playing instantly.

She said: "I was given a guitar for my birthday and started to teach myself to play.

"I fell in love with playing straight away, and know now that I want a career in music. All I want to do is sing.

"That's why I entered this competition. I googled music competitions, researched it and decided to enter this one. I am very determined to make it in music and this competition is quite a good stepping stone as it has a good reputation and lots of people within the industry attend the finals of the competition."

Open Mic UK searches the country each year for the best unsigned performers, and has helped launched the careers of artists such as X-Factor's Luke Friend.

Miss Taylor-Haroun will compete in the regional finals on Saturday, October 4. If she progresses, she will go through to the national final.

The winner claims a £5,000 prize to spend on the development of their music career.

The dates for the national final are yet to be certified.

For more information on the competition, visit openmicuk.co.uk.