Kidlington dance teacher Mary-Ella Tuppenney is following in the footsteps of Will Young and Gareth Gates by entering a national talent competition.

The 22-year-old, who runs her own dance academy, is through to the regional final of Idol 2008, which is being held in Bedford on Thursday, October 23.

The contest began as a regional competition for the South Coast, but is now a national event, with more than 10,000 contestants.

Organisers claim it is now the UK's largest talent contest behind ITV's The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent.

Mary-Ella said: "I'm really pleased to be through to the regional finals of Idol 2008.

"I auditioned at one of the opening rounds in High Wycombe and sang Lucie Silvas's 2004 single What You're Made Of.

"I am a qualified dance teacher, with my own dance school, and I am also a qualified nail technician.

"I have always enjoyed singing and dancing, right from the age of four, winning competitions for both all over the country.

"For the past three years, I have had singing lessons with vocal coach Sheridan Coldstream.

"Since having singing lessons, I have started gigging around pubs and clubs in the Oxfordshire area, which I absolutely love doing, as I am now far more confident in my performances."

Zoe Mace, 13, a soprano who lives in Freeland, will perform Nessun Dorma, the Puccini aria best known for its use as BBC TV's World Cup theme music in 1990, sung by late opera legend Luciano Pavarotti.

Zoe was due to take part in an evening of classical music and opera in the grounds of Cokethorpe School in October, in aid of the Abandoned Bulgarian Children's Trust, and Helen and Douglas House hospices in Oxford.

But the event has been postponed and is being re-arranged for next year.

Idol 2008 offers competitors the opportunity to perform live in front of large audiences, as well as the chance to win up to £25,000.

Idol 2008 spokesman Chris Grayson said: "There will be 20 people in the regional final in Bedford, and the winner and runner-up go through to the national final.

"Mary-Ella has taken a huge step towards getting through to the national final."