TEENAGER Rebecca Barron is just one step away from the national finals of this year’s Open Mic UK competition.

Rebecca, from Crossflatts, has reached the area finals on November 24 thanks to her singing and guitar playing skills.

She is currently a media student at Craven College, after spending a year studying performing arts and appearing in the college’s production of the musical Cabaret in October last year.

Rebecca performed as an extra on Channel 4 schools drama Ackley Bridge earlier this year, and auditioned for the channel’s soap Hollyoaks.

Rebecca’s mother Clare said: “When the college musical auditions came around Rebecca realised she needed to be able to sing as well as act, so we got her some singing lessons.

“Emi Hall, a musician in Bingley, has done amazing work with her and she managed to get a good part in Chicago.”

Rebecca taught herself to play the guitar and looked around the area for open mic nights, playing in her first event this year.

Clare said: “We try and go to open mics weekly – we are regulars at the Acorn In Eldwick which is where Rebecca started.

“She hopes to become a successful musician. It is her passion and she spends most of her free time practicing. She is also in the process of getting a band together.

“Rebecca has also had a recent diagnosis of autism this has only made her more determined to succeed. She wants to show that autistic people can achieve things too.”

Open Mic UK is described as the biggest search for unsigned talent in the UK, looking for top-notch singers, singer-songwriters and rappers of all genres.