A TEENAGER, who dropped out of the Swindon Music Festival last year from nerves, has returned to become the overall winner.

Amanda Downes, 16, from West Swindon, captured the hearts of the audience with her rendition of Almost Like Being in Love from the Brigadoon soundtrack.

She competed against 13 acts comprising pianists, violinists and other singers.

"I was able to put all my emotions across," said the Bradon Forest youngster. "I stood out because I tried to make the song as realistic as I could and became the character."

Amanda dropped out of the festival last year from nerves after winning the songs from shows category.

She said she had butterflies this year again, but did not let them get the better of her.

"Before I sing, I'm so nervous," Amanda said. "I always have a habit of thinking everyone else is better than me.

"It is only in the past couple of years that I have started to believe in myself. Last year I withdrew as I was too shy - I regretted what I did."

But on Saturday night it was different.

She said: "I gave it my all. I moved around the stage and put my feelings into it."

Amanda triumphed in the songs from shows category with her winning piece on Wednesday. She then conquered the junior vocals on Friday, which led her to qualify for the supreme championship on Saturday.

Festival chairman Geoff Walters said: "She had a lovely manner on stage and sparkled from the word go. It was a fresh performance with lovely singing.

"I just think the audience took to her. I was very pleased as I think she thoroughly deserved it."

He said there were a wide variety of acts, which were judged by Eileen Field on the night.

"It was a real mix. It is difficult to choose when you compare different acts and often singers get a better chance as they appeal more to an audience. There were a lot of very good performers."

He said the festival attracted new talent.

"It was another tremendously successful year. We had quite a lot of new faces performing, which is nice," Mr Walters said.

"The standard continues to be very high - the adjudicators were very complimentary about the quality of the performers in Swindon."

Winning the supreme championship has given Amanda the incentive to follow a career in performing arts.

She thanked her music teacher at Kentwood Choir, Sheila Harrod, for her encouragement and dedication.