A talented teenager has made it to the regional finals of a national music competition.

Scarlett Ketteman is one of the 40,000 unsigned acts and bands from across the country battling it out to win Live and Unsigned.

The 14-year-old, from New Malden, who sings and taught herself to play the guitar last year after falling in love with the instrument, said it is her dream to become a world class performer.

She said: "That would be amazing, that’s what I aspire to really, that’s my goal."

The competition will give the Coombe Girls School pupil the chance to play at some of the biggest venues and festivals in the country, including the O2 Arena.

She will also have her music heard by industry experts such as BBC Radio One, Kerrang and NME.

Scarlett has performed on Kingston hospital radio and came second in the 2011 Kingston Young Performer of the Year but said Live and Unsigned has been more nerve wracking.

She said: "I am really happy about it but I was really nervous.

"It’s kind of like X-factor style auditions. I had to sing to them and play the guitar then they called me back and told me I got through. I was really happy."

Scarlett said her friends and family have been really supportive and gave their seal of approval to a song that she wrote herself for the first time, which she will perform at the regional finals on Sunday, March 11.

Her mother, Sarah Ketteman said: "I have always thought she’s got a lovely voice but as a mum you always think that. We are really proud."