Two talented youngsters from a Chorley high school are well versed in different skills as one has secured a recording contract while the other gained a literary prize.

Holy Cross RC High School pupil and country singer Stacey Murphy, 16, has secured a development contract with Chromium Records to release a CD of original songs while budding poet and writer Megan Jones,15, has been offered a place at the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth.

Stacey, of the Bowers, Chorley, is planning to record two songs - 'Heads Carolina, Tails California' - and 'I'll Give you Something to Miss' and will perform on a mimi-tour to promote newly signed artists.

Stacey, whose influences are country band Lonestar and vocalist Leanne Rimes, said: "I've always been into country rock music since I was little and love singing in that style.

"The chance to record my material is fantastic and hopefully it will lead onto to more things. I'm looking forward to using the technology of a real studio.

"I get great support from my parents Julie and Stephen, but my dad is into stuff like Coldplay, which is more mainstream."

Megan meanwhile, has been writing poetry since the age of six and has been granted a place at the National Academy, which only accepts members in the top five per cent, academic-wise of the population.

She will be given the opportunity to develop her writing skills at a summer camp where she will receive advice and tuition from professional writers.

Megan, who also writes music, said: "Poems are just something I have always written. I get inspiration from everyday life and also from folklore.

"Some subjects that I have written about recently are comfort food, witches and peacocks. It's a pretty wide range."

Teacher Dorothy Bowling said: "Both the girls have shown great promise in their fields and are certainly very talented.

"They are now seeing the rewards for the hard work they have put in."