KEEP your ears tuned for the next singing sensation who could hail from Bispham.

Twelve-year-old Tara Cragg will be hitting television screens some time in the new year after being selected to appear on Michael Barrymore's My Kind of People.

Tara impressed programme producers after being invited to perform at the Milton Keynes studio following a successful audition in Blackpool.

Now, family and friends will be gathered around the television screen to see the young starlet sing her rendition of Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive.

An excited Tara, from Daventry Avenue, enthused: "It was great when I found out I would be appearing on television.

"I have told all my friends and they are very happy for me.

"The most nerve-racking part was waiting to go on stage at Milton Keynes, but I really enjoyed it.

"I chose to sing I Will Survive because when my friends and I went to the Isle of Man I sang it then.

"I got the backing tape for my birthday."

The youngster has already made a name for herself locally, frequently singing for guests at the Pleasant Hotel in Blackpool where she performs anything from the 50s and 60s through to current chart music.

Proud mum Julie added: "I am really pleased for Tara. She has always wanted to be a singer and has a lot of confidence even though she has never had a singing lesson.

"If she pushes herself now I am sure she will get somewhere."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.