A HOLMES Chapel schoolgirl is one step closer to realising her dreams of stardom.

Claudia Preece, 14, was one of 12,000 youngsters who auditioned for this year’s Teen Star – a national competition searching for the UK’s next teen and pre-teen singing sensation.

After a seamless first audition, Claudia went up against 24 other ‘mid-teens’ at the Liverpool Regional Finals on March 9.

Judges had to whittle it down to just eight singers but the Holmes Chapel Comprehensive was one of the lucky few - earning a place in the Area Finals in Manchester in May.

Claudia said: “I sang ‘Say Something’ by A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera and played the keyboard also.

“I felt very tense when they were reading out who was going through. I was relieved when my name was called.”

Claudia had plenty of people cheering her on as 17 close friends and family made the trip to see her perform.

Parents Lisa and Andy said they were proud their daughter’s achievements.

Lisa added: “The talent was very high and they all gave excellent performances.

"Claudia’s performance, we feel, was outstanding and we both felt very emotional when she had finished her song.”