A young singer-songwriter has proved to be an online hit.

Within days of it going live, almost 2,000 people had viewed Abbie Roberts’ YouTube video cover of Rebecca Ferguson’s song Teach Me How To Be Loved.

The 12-year-old Highsted Grammar pupil, whose dream is to become a professional recording artist, says she is shocked by the response.

She said: “I didn’t expect that many to see it in such a short space of time. I chose the song because my dad likes it and because it was good for my voice.

"I’ve had lots of compliments from people at school and from strangers abroad because people have shared it.

“I’m hoping someone in the music business might see it, but I know that’s unlikely.

“People have said I should go on shows like Britain’s Got Talent, but I don’t know if I am confident enough to do that.

“I’m always singing in the car and the shower, and I started playing the piano when I was eight. I just like music really. It can tell a story or explain how you feel. It’s powerful.”

Her uncle Doug Baulf, 48, who lives in Leet Close, Eastchurch, directed and shot the video at various locations around Swale including Shellness beach, a field near his home and the Sheppey bridges.

His son Joshua, 22, who has just graduated in film and television production at the University of Westminster, edited the footage.

Abbie, of Amber Rise, Sittingbourne, added: “It was shot over two days. One of them I was up at 4am to record it, so I didn’t get much sleep.

"I wasn’t that nervous but there were bits where I felt a bit awkward. I think I can do it for real though if I had to.

“While I like Katie Perry and Demi Lovato, I don’t want to be like any other artist, I just want to be known in my own right.”