A SCHOOLGIRL could be on her way to musical stardom after landing a gig alongside one of the industry's hottest acts.

While celebrating GCSEs and preparing to start sixth form next week, 16-year-old AJ Ruhomutally (Ruh) is rehearsing for next month's Pub in the Park in St Albans, headlined by Tom Odell.

The teenager, who lives in Steventon near Didcot, secured a place in the line-up as part of her band angels N' Bandits, which is managed by the same team that oversaw chart-topping bands The Saturdays and The Wanted.

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Pic: Cool Hand Media Group

They will perform in front of more than 3,000 people, having already played at the Avalon Café stage at Glastonbury this summer and legendary venues including Liverpool's Cavern Club.

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AJ, who has just finished at Didcot Girls' School, said: "It's so exciting, I can't wait.

"We've been performing for ages and you think you'd get used to it, but I still get nervous before.

"But once I'm on stage, it's like my family, and there is so much adrenaline. You just have the best time of your life."

angels N' Bandits is a fusion of urban RnB and rap music, and is made up of four girls and two boys, aged between 14 and 17 years.

The band is recording with DJ and songwriter Naughty Boy, and AJ said the musician is 'one of the nicest guys I've ever met'.

Her passion for performing grew at a Saturday school in London, where she met her bandmates Angel, Ellie, Asha, Frankie and Reece.

They have been playing together for six years already, and have been all over the country on the gig circuit.

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Pic: Cecilie Tchikai

She said: "My family has always loved music - we have speakers all over the house and I've grown up around music.

"Glastonbury was the most amazing experience I've ever had, there was a massive crowd."

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The teenager, who will soon start at Didcot Sixth Form Centre, said she hopes to make a career out of music but is also interested in criminology and optometry.

AJ, whose heritage hails from Mauritius and India, said she hopes to become a role model for young Asian girls if she makes it in the industry.

She added: "It's not really expected for young girls from an Asian background to be out there [on stage]."

She said she feels 'very blessed' that her parents Nisha and Diddn have been so supportive of her ambitions, adding: "I don't know what I'd do without them."

Her little sister Akhiya is also a keen musician and plays several instruments.

angels N' Bandits' members are based around the South of England, and get together to rehearse on Saturdays at studios or their homes.

Their appearance at Pub in the Park will take place on Friday, September 13, on the same evening as Tom Odell and Scouting for Girls.

The event is part of a food and music festival franchise fronted by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge, at eight locations around the country.

Other music acts performing during the St Albans weekend, at Verulamium Park, include Razorlight, Will Young and Toploader.