A YORK teenager is fighting for a place in the national finals of a singing competition.

Seventeen year old Jessica Boyes will on Sunday compete in the North East area finals of Teenstar at Huddersfield Town Hall, after triumphing in the previous round in Sheffield last month.

Jessica, a former pupil at Archbishop Holgate's school, will perform a song she has written herself accompanied by friend Lewis Edgall on the guitar.

"It's scary but exciting. I based the song on someone I know, like most singers do, but it's my way of expressing things."

Even though she has been writing songs for a while, this will be the first time Jessica has performed one in public.

If she triumphs in the competition of 25 young people from across the North of England, Jessica will go on to the national finals the the NECC in Birmingham with a chance of winning £5000 and a record deal.

She said she is optimistic about the competition, and will be helped by family and friends travelling to Huddersfield to support her.

"I've got about 25 people coming, and it really helps and makes you want to do even better."