SIXTH form songstress Jade Jones is to play at Cambridge Folk Festival alongside the likes of The Waterboys, KT Tunstall and the Levellers.

Since it began in 1964, 10,000 people have descended every year on Cherry Hinton Hall to watch an eclectic mix of folk performers.

There’s everything from ceilidh to bluegrass and this year, Westholme School student Jade will be up there with her name in lights.

“I found out two weeks ago,” she said. “I’m really excited. I’ve never done anything like this before.

“I’ve released two demos and the biggest crowd I’d played to was at Samlesbury Hall. This is such a big deal for me.”

Jade, 18, has been playing guitar for about seven years and her musical hero is Laura Marling.

She said she was looking forward to seeing other female singer songwriters, like KT Tunstall. The Staves, the Mavericks and the Levellers will also be headlining at the festival which runs from July 25 - 28.

Jade applied by submitting three of her own original songs to the festival organisers and was chosen, along with 16 others, to attend the event as a performer.

The talented competition winners are all aged between 14 and 18 and will play as a collective on Sunday night as the festival draws to a close.

She said: “We will all be mentored by professional musicians and we will be having jam sessions. I don’t know exactly what we are going to play.”

Jade, who lives in Newington Avenue, Wilpshire, said that she didn’t expect to win as she knew there would be a lot of competition but staff at Westholme School had more faith in her abilities.

Headteacher Lilian Croston said: “Jade’s latest success, although astounding, is no surprise to us. Jade’s voice now has a depth and richness to it which enchants audiences and her stage presence is magnetic. She will go far.”