A singer songwriter from Finsbury Park has beaten off hundreds of hopefuls to reach the regional finals of a national talent competition.

Melissa Myers, 19, who lives off Ferne Park Road, impressed the judges in the audition stage of Live and Unsigned last month.

Now she will have the chance to perform to a live audience on March 17 in a bid to reach the grand final at the 02 Arena in front of a panel of celebrity judges, likely to include Radio One DJ Annie Nightingale.

The overall winner will be crowned the UK’s best unsigned act and get a plum slot at the country’s biggest indoor festival, Live Fest, in July, as well as several thousand pounds in prize money to spend on their development.

Melissa said: “I’m really excited and nervous to see what going to happen. It is amazing to get this far and perform in front of my family and friends, but to get to the final would be a dream come true.”