AN aspiring musician is one step away from playing in front of thousands at the O2 Arena after winning through to the third stage of a national competition.

Sarah Louise, 15, made it through to the Midlands Area Final of the Live and Unsigned competition after being voted one of the best acts in the Regional Finals last Saturday.

The guitarist and singer, from Meldreth, was voted as one of the top nine acts out of 22 at the Regionals, and will now compete in one of six Area Finals to get through to the final.

Sarah said: “I was a mixture of nervous and excited when I went on stage, but it was a good mix.

“I performed one of my own songs and a cover of Everything I do I do it For You by Bryan Adams and thought I did quite well.

“There was about 500 people there which is the most I have played in front of by a long way but I enjoyed every minute of it.

“They called out the names of the winners and I was delighted when they read my name out.”

Judges from BBC, NME and Kerrang were presiding over events and picked Sarah to go through to the next round.

Tizzy Patterson, Sarah’s dance teacher at Melbourn Village College, went to the Bedford Corn Exchange to watch the Regional Finals on Saturday.

She said: “Sarah was fantastic last weekend and we all really enjoyed cheering her on. She has become so much more confident since she entered the competition and many teachers have commented how she has blossomed.

“It’s amazing what picking up a guitar and performing has done for Sarah at school.”

The Area Final takes place at the Bedford Corn Exchange on May 7, where only one or two bands from 20 will win through to the Grand Final.

The winners of Area Finals are voted for by audience members, so Sarah is organising a coach-load of fans to make the journey.

“I have to get as many people there as possible so we are setting up a coach trip,” she said.

“It would be a victory in itself for me to get ot the Grand Final as there would be record company people there and it would be a great experience eot play in front of so many people.”

Anyone interested in travelling to the Live and Unsigned Area Finals on May 7 should contact Sarah on 01763 260525.