A TALENTED schoolgirl has tuned into success in just eight weeks.

Ten-year-old Tanya Powell (pictured), who attends King Edward and Queen Mary junior school in Lytham, picked up a clarinet for the first time in January this year after her mother organised lessons for her at the Raymond Wallbanks music school in Ansdell.

She hit the right note on her first lessons, so much so that her teacher, Sharon Taylor, felt confident she could pass her Grade 1 test.

And Tanya, from Norwood Road, St Annes, had just three days to prepare for her big moment after she was given the exam place of another pupil who had pulled out at the last minute.

Luckily, nerves did not fail the youngster and she passed with a merit - only three marks short of a distinction.

Sharon said: "Tanya is a very talented young girl who has a natural ability I have rarely seen.

"Tanya loves playing and is progressing so quickly - but it's lovely to teach someone so enthusiastic."

Raymond Wallbank said: "I couldn't believe Tanya had only been coming for the length of time she had and it was a stroke of luck that she was able to enter for the exam because it was due to another pupil cancelling. She really is some kind of genius."

But the awards may not end there. Tanya is already preparing to take her Grade 2 exam on June 12.

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