A TEENAGER has used her "special voice" to secure an elusive scholarship at London's renowned Royal College of Music.

Jennie Marsden, 17, from Pendleton, is one of only six students in the country to come through a string of tough singing auditions and interviews to land a scholarship.

The pupil at Westholme School, Blackburn, will now take a music degree at the specialised musical education college.

And according to her music teacher Susan Eames, it is no surprise Jennie beat hundreds of applicants to land a place at the college, which has famous past students including composers Sir Benjamin Brittain and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.

But forget Jennie becoming the next Charlotte Church.

"No, her voice is more like the Welsh mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins and, yes, I think she could do as well as she has one day, " Susan said.

Jennie, who starts at the college in September, said: "I want to go on to be an opera singer eventually.

"Hopefully this is just the beginning.

"I've only got the basics at the moment and I know it's going to be a hard slog, especially with breathing techniques and other new skills.

"I've only been singing opera for two years so it's quite a transition from using a microphone to making yourself heard above an orchestra.

"But I can't wait to start now."

Susan, from Barrowford, a singing teacher at St Mary's College, Blackburn, who gives private tuition in her own time, first gave Jennie singing lessons when she was 14.

And she said it was clear from day one she had potential.

"It has been a pleasure to teach someone as talented as Jennie.

"She is not only an exquisite singer, but also a brilliant all-round musician.

"From her first lesson with me at the age of 14, it was clear that she had a special voice.

"She has had to learn many different singing styles from opera to jazz, and has taken any challenge in her stride.

"Jennie was my first student to take an exam, and now the first to go to music college specialising in singing.

"To be offered not just a place, but a scholarship to the Royal College of Music is a real compliment to me as well as Jennie.

"She has singing in her blood and has become a friend. With her real enthusiasm, I am sure she will go far."