PRIDE of Swindon and aspiring star Phoebe Maddison will take to the West End stage next week in the grand finale of a prestigious singing competition.

Thirteen-year-old Phoebe, who goes to Isambard School, last month made it through the semi-finals of West End Calling and on April 11 she will perform at London’s Ambassadors Theatre in front of a panel of expert judges.

Her chosen song is Defying Gravity from hit stage show Wicked, and she has been putting herself through her paces with a strict rehearsal regime.

An elated Phoebe, thrilled to have made it so far in the competition, said: “I am very excited, but equally as nervous. There are so many talented people taking part and it’s a bit worrying in case somebody else picks the same song.

“Although I’m looking forward to it, it’s a bit scary because you don’t really know what the judges are looking for.

“But I know I’m going to enjoy performing because it’s always such a good feeling.”

Phoebe, from North Swindon, first got into singing at a young age and last year she won the Best of Swindon Talent competition and helped turn on the town’s Christmas lights.

Winning the competition would be a huge step towards realising her ambition of being a professional West End performer.

She said: “If you win, you get things that will help you progress with your future. You get professional head shots taken, singing lessons with a West End singer and you get to perform with the stars.

“They are amazing prizes and I would be over the moon if I won.

“This is what I want to do in the future. I love being on stage, it’s so much fun. It’s a real passion of mine.”

West End Calling is a musical theatre singing competition for young performers and West End stars from a whole host of theatre shows judge each round of the competition and give their expert opinions and advice.

Phoebe will be bringing a dedicated troupe of friends and family along to cheer her on in London next week.

“There will probably be about 10 people coming,” she said, thrilled with the amount of support she has received.

Speaking about the support she has received from her friends, she said: “They are all really supportive of me even when I have to miss occasions because of auditions or performances - everyone has been great.”

Last year, Phoebe was given a Pride of Swindon award for her fundraising efforts for diabetes charities after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes aged four.