Talented singer and dancer Dominique Simpson from Margate will represent the town at the finals of the nationwide Search for a Star competition - and she plans for it to be a stepping stone for a West End career

The 17-year-old student took first place and a prize of £700 in the area final of the British Resorts and Destinations Associations (BRADA) competition at the town’s Winter Gardens, with 2 Outspoken runner up and Kryptonite third.

She will now goes into to the national final in Margate on Saturday (November 22), the first time the town has staged the event since 1995.

Dominique, a former pupil at The Charles Dickens School is now studying for a BTEC Performing Arts National Diploma at Thanet College.

She has been singing, dancing and acting since the age of two and said: “I love being on the stage and making people happy and entertaining them.

“I want to be a West End star. I am so happy to have won the Search for a Star local final and the money is going towards musical theatre college in London next year, if I get through the auditions.”

Acts from resorts including Scarborough, Torbay and Southport will compete for the big prize of £3,000 in the grand final.

If you want to cheer on Dominique you can buy tickets from the Winter Gardens box office on 01843 296111/292795, priced at £10, buy three and get one free