A singer from Kent has made it through to the regional finals of a national singing competition.

Kate Grimbley-Smith from Sevenoaks entered the Open Mic UK competition during a summer holiday to France and never thought she would succeed, but after impressing the contest's judges she has progressed through to the next stage - ahead of thousands of other hopefuls.

She must now take part in a head-to-head battle alongside the best talent in her region in front of hundreds of audience members on Saturday, October 4 in a bid to win a place in the National Grand Final.

19-year-old Kate of Hartslands Road said: "I can't believe I'm through to the regional finals. I never thought I'd get anywhere when I entered so it's a really good feeling."

Kate is currently studying Business Management at the University of Birmingham and is a member of the musical theatre group.

The former Sevenoaks School pupil added: "I've always been into singing, I've performed in front of people before but never as many as will be at the regional finals.

"In my first audition I played the guitar and sang at the same time, but when I'm nervous the nerves go to my hands so I won't be playing the guitar at the finals!"

Open Mic UK 2014 searches for unsigned talent in the UK and travels the country every year looking for the best singers, songwriters, rappers and vocalists of all genres performing covers or their own material.

Future Music, the company behind the competition has discovered artists such as Jaymi Hensley from Union J, X Factor's Luke Friend and Lucy Spraggan who appeared on Britain's Got Talent in 2012.

"I can't believe I'm through to the regional finals. I never thought I'd get anywhere when I entered so it's a really good feeling" - Kate Grimbley-Smith

Events coordinator and head of future music Chris Grayston said: “Every year that we hold this competition the bar is raised and the quality gets higher and higher. We’re really looking forward to experiencing the raw talent from across the country.

"For promising singers, song-writers, rappers and vocalists, Open Mic UK provides a real opportunity to open the door to a music career by showcasing their talent to music industry professionals and audiences across the country.”

The winner of the Open Mic UK National Grand Final will win the main prize of £5,000 to spend on the development of their music career.