A BLACKPOOL songbird aged just nine is flying high after scooping the top prize at a regional talent competition.

Emma Wright stole the judges' hearts in the under-12 category of the Pines Citizen Talent Contest 2001, run recently by our sister paper in Preston, with her rendition of Breathless made famous by Irish band the Corrs.

Emma's mum Joanne had only heard about the event two weeks before from her sister Yvonne Jardie, who lives in Walton-le-Dale, Preston, and read about it in the Preston Citizen.

Proud Joanne said: "It is unreal, I nearly jumped off my seat when it was announced. I couldn't believe it." And dad Stephen added: "I am made up -- she's done great."

Some 23 artistes and groups took to the stage and dazzled the audience with their tremendous talents.

The event was co-ordinated by Stylus World, which provided their services free of charge. A spokesman for the firm said: "I pity those judges. They have such a hard job to choose just one winner from all this talent."

But in the end it was the very last act, a little girl who had waited nearly three hours to perform, who stole the show.

Joint second place went to Nicola West from Chorley with her dazzling performance of I Will Survive.

She shares her prize with a group from Ribchester called Reaction, featuring Eilis Searson, Michelle Dowbekin and Lauren Byrne, all 10. They sang a piece written by their music teacher Karen Cameron.

Soul singer Stephen Bayliss who was on the judging panel, said: "I was surprised how much talent there was -- some of these youngsters had a great stage presence. That is what distinguishes a real performer. But it was a hard job to judge them because they are all so good."

Now Emma will take the first slot at the talent night on January 12 next year at The Pines Hotel Clayton-le-Woods, near Chorley.