TALENTED singer songwriter Lottie Jenkins, who made the final ten of a national competition, has been praised by the celebrity judges for her ‘Elton John vibe’ song.

The 12-year-old Commonweal School student from Old Walcot submitted her self-penned melody Kiss Your Old Life Away to the judges, which included Tom Odell, Rumer and Jamie Theakston, at the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition.

This week the winners were announced and despite not scooping first place in her age category, Lottie still got a flurry of compliments, which has encouraged her to continue song writing and learn a musical instrument.

Tom Odell commented about her performance: “Love the Elton vibe. Chorus went somewhere unexpected which was great.”

Rumer said: “I like this and the spiritual imagery. It’s very unusual.”

The youngster will also be heading to Westfield shopping centre in Shepherds Bush, London on Sunday, June 12, where all the winners, finalists and other chosen entrants will perform from 2-5pm.

Mum Debs Robinson said: “We're really pleased that Lottie came in the top ten. She's feeling a bit defeated at the moment, but she has to learn to take rough with smooth. We're really proud of her.”

The song Lottie wrote is about a girl who hasn’t had a good life.

She said: “It’s kind of a metaphor, she meets a man and her life is turned around, come with me and everything will be ok.”

She started singing ‘as soon as she could talk’ and used to record her music on her mum’s phone. She was then encouraged to have singing lessons and particularly enjoys blues and pop music. Her school has also been instrumental in helping her create songs.

Ali Sutcliffe, head of performing arts at Commonweal, said: “Lottie epitomises performing arts here at Commonweal.

“She is such a talent and has worked really hard to get her songs out to a wider audience. We are really proud of her achievements so far and we are excited to see what the future holds for her and her songs.

“She has such an expressive and mature voice and her passion for the subject just shines through when she performs.”