An Ottery teen is through to the next round of a nationwide competition to uncover the best new musical talent.

Phoebe Lea, 14, a pupil at The King’s School, will perform at the regional finals of Open Mic UK in Bristol on Sunday, September 30.

She has always enjoyed singing from a very early age, and attends Artist Development sessions at Mama Stones in Exeter, where she also performs.

Phoebe Lea has auditioned for talent shows and competitions in the past, including Britain’s Got Talent and Britain Does Variety, where she also reached the Regional Finals and performed to a live audience at the Barnfield Theatre in Exeter.

Open Mic UK 2012 is a national talent competition which searches for the UK’s best unsigned singers, singer/songwriters, rappers and vocalists, and former winners include teenage singer Birdy.

If Phoebe is successful in Bristol she will then go on to perform in the grand final held at London’s O2, and compete for the chance to be signed to a record label.

Chris Grayston, events coordinator for Open Mic UK, said: “We are looking to find an act that has something unique to offer, another Birdy that can go all the way, with both the ability to deliver a strong live performance but also potential to become a professional recording artist.

“There is so much talent out there I’m sure we can find that star again.”