A BUDDING singer is just one song away from her big break after she reached the final of a national competition.

Ellie Robbins, 16, from Yarnton, will perform in front of thousands of people as she bids to be crowned winner of Open Mic UK 2009.

If her voice impresses industry insiders she will win the chance to record an album in a professional studio.

More than 10,000 hopefuls have been whittled down to just 20 ahead of the final at Portsmouth Guildhall on Saturday, November 28.

Also an up-and-coming actress, Ellie has appeared in shows at Oxford’s New Theatre and Oxford Playhouse and won the Young Cuts Best Actress award at the Montreal Film festival for her role in Tomboy.

She said last night: “I’m delighted to be in the final.

“It was a really tough competition and I did have to work hard.

“I’m very excited now but I’m trying to remain calm. I’ll be having my singing lessons as normal, and just trying to remain calm and focused.

“I do feel confident having made it this far.

“I’m just completely focused on winning the recording contract, which is my dream.”

Ellie beat 16 other regional finalists in Fareham, Hampshire, on Saturday with her rendition of Rod Stewart’s I Don’t Want To Talk About It.

The competition is searching for the UK’s best singers, songwriters, rappers and vocalists, who perform either covers or original material Judges include former Atomic Kitten manager Martin O’Shea, DJ Mark Goodier and singer Dane Bowers.

Auditions took place across the country.

An Open Mic UK spokesman said: “Ellie Robbins has wowed the panel and now has an opportunity to prove she is one of the best in the country.”

Chris Grayston, events director of Open Mic UK, added: “The standard this year has been outstanding – there has been a great mix of pop, acoustic and R’n’B acts and a good balance of covers and original material.

“The grand finalists will really have to work hard ahead of the final and then pull out the performance of their lives in order to be crowned the overall winner.

“We’re in for a great final show.”

dhearn@oxfordmail.co.uk