A YOUNG carer from Swindon will take a shot at the limelight today.

Penhill teen Sammy Hawkins will travel to London to audition for the next series of Britain’s Got Talent.

When she spoke to the Adver earlier this week the 13-year-old was still unsure of her choice of song – with favourite Christina Aguilera ballad Beautiful topping the table.

Sammy, a pupil at Kingsdown School, said: “I’m looking forward to it, but I’m also quite nervous. I’m looking forward to finding out if I’m good enough to get on there.”

A keen singer, Sammy regularly performs in front of fellow pupils at Kingsdown. To date, the largest audience she’s walked in front of numbered 500 at a Year 7 assembly.

But that would pale in comparison if Sammy is able to get through the audition rounds of ITV mega hit Britain’s Got Talent.

The talent show regularly pulls in 10 million viewers.

“I’m nervous because there are going to be a lot of people watching,” said Sammy. “But I feel like everyone gets a bit nervous.”

Sammy, 13, said her friends and parents would be rooting her on: “They’re quite happy for me and they’re looking forward to it.”

Where her friends are worrying about schoolwork and socialising, Sammy has a further weight of worries.

Sammy is a registered young carer, helping to look after her former squaddie dad and mum, who suffers from a slipped disc.

“I’ve been doing it ever since I can remember,” she said

“My dad has PTSD and used to serve in the army. He got an injury that damaged his knee and he’s had 17 operations on it.

“I’ll help my mum out of bed, get her cups of tea and coffee, bring her dinner up and help her get dressed.”

But Sammy still has time to hone her vocal chords. She said: “When I’m at home I’m normally either practicing my singing or I’m on YouTube watching TV and singing. I’ve been singing since I was two.”

She’s been involved with Swindon Carers Centre since she was seven. The youngster will be singing at the Swindon Young Carers ambassador awards ceremony next month.

Teen Sammy was praised by her headteacher at Kingsdown School.

Head Emma Leigh-Bennett said: “Sammy is a student with real confidence. She has a real passion for singing. As a school we support people’s talent and creativity. We’re a school that’s about championing the potential of every student.

“We’re all behind her for Saturday night. We’re very confident she’s going to get through to the next round.”

The school supported a number of young carers, Emma said. Their tutors were aware of their caring role and the youngsters were offered extra support, such as the loan of laptops.

“We understand how much they do outside of school,” said Emma. “It’s about checking in which them and their wellbeing on a regular basis.”