A young singer who gets shy performing in front of her family says she was shocked to win an award for musical theatre.

Emma Sherrard, of Mill Hill, was presented with her Young Singer of the Year prize by Mitch Winehouse, father of the late singer Amy Winehouse, at a ceremony in front of 350 people in Marylebone yesterday.

The annual awards ceremony is run by Jewish charity Emunah, which introduced the young singer category this year.

The 12-year-old, who sings at the JFS school in Harrow, wowed the judges with a rendition of Electricity, from Billy Elliot - her favourite song from a musical.

But she admitted she thought there had been an error when they announced her as the winner.

She said: “I was shocked when my name was called out - I thought it must be a mistake.”

Emma was handed a £200 voucher for an online music company and is hoping to spend the money on a voice coach to aid her aspirations to sing professionally.

He mother Sara Sherrard said: “At home she only sings in her room - I am shocked that she has won, but very proud.

“She gets shy of singing in front of her family.  I wasn’t even allowed to come to the London heats where she was a runner-up.”