A mother-of-three is over the moon at having ticked another dream off her bucket list after busking for the first time in a town centre.

Katie Gardner beat her nerves and sang Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah in front of crowds in Deal High Street.

Ms Gardner, from Wilson Avenue in the town, has only ever done karaoke before and was amazed by how many people stopped in their tracks to listen to her sing.

A video of her performance has now been viewed 16,000 times, and a talent agency has been in touch with her.

"I've done karaoke but this was my first time I have ever sung outside in public," the 38-year-old said.

"I've always wanted to do it but have never had the confidence."

After commenting on a post from Carl Shepherds Entertainments from Dover, Ms Gardner was told to speak to busker Robbie when he was out in the high street.

When she was next in the high street, she spotted Robbie and asked to have a go.

She said it had taken every bean in her power to ask Robbie if she could sing a song.

A few minutes later, Ms Gardner took to the microphone.

"All of a sudden my neighbours turned up to watch," she said.

"My partner, who is my biggest support, recorded it and a lot of people stopped in their tracks.

"The amount of people who came out of coffee shops and shops nearby was amazing."

Ms Gardner, a full time carer for her son who is disabled, posted the video her partner had taken of her performance on Facebook, and says it has been a whirlwind since then.

"I thought I would share it with my nearest and dearest but it has now got 16,000 plus views," she said.

"I've got so many messages - the words that people say have just touched my heart so much because when you don't have confidence in yourself you have to see it through other people's eyes.

"I've been stopped in the High Street since, and people have said some amazing words to me.

"One gentleman told me he lost his wife a year before and he was walking home and heard me singing, he stopped and listened to the whole thing and he said I was singing his wife's favourite song. It gives me chills knowing that.

"For me, it is the best feeling in the world and it has given me the kick I needed to start believing in myself and taking it further.

"I lack confidence big time and I could feel every muscle in my body trembling.

"I had to hold onto the mic, my legs were shaking so badly that I thought I was going to fall down."

The mother says following this experience, she is hoping to busk again and raise money for two charities which are close to her heart.

She said: "For me, singing isn't anything I wanted to do for the money, it's just for my sanity.

"Music and singing is what keeps me going when I'm feeling down.

"I've had a talent agency get in touch with me, also a lady who is going to give me confidence lessons free of charge.

"I've done The Voice and I didn't get through so for me now, it is just to share with my loved ones and my town - that to me means everything.

"My daughter had leukaemia 10 years ago so I'd give any money I raise to CLIC Sargent, which is now Young Lives vs Cancer, or The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

"I've always raised money for those charities and I have already arranged to do a Christmas busking session for them.

"If I can do it for somebody else then that makes me happy."

She added her daughter also has an amazing voice so she is hoping she can inspire her to be more confident too.

"I think where she has had cancer and missed a bit of school, she has lost some confidence," she said.

"I'm hoping we can get that sorted with the help of the lady I am seeing for confidence lessons and I hope by my daughter seeing me do it, she will feel more confident too.

"My partner, Peter Allen, is my number one fan and I am so grateful to him for supporting me - he is amazing."