A Mill Hill singer has outshone thousands of other hopefuls to secure a place in the regional final of a national singing competition.

Sian Gentle, 21, of Milespit Hill, is one of just 20 Hayes finalists in this year’s Open Mic UK, an annual contest designed to hunt out the country’s best undiscovered musical talent.

Contestants compete to impress some of showbiz's biggest names and agencies, from BBC Introducing to national radio stations.

This year's champion will receive a £5,000 cash prize, as well as time in a professional recording studio and master classes from industry experts.

Previous winners of the prestigious title have included Birdy and Hatty Keane, both of whom have now been signed to renowned record labels.

Sian has immersed herself in singing and acting since the age of three, and is currently working on her first EP, due to be released on iTunes in early November.

The up-and-coming song artist performs her own original material, which she describes as “poetic, spoken-word songs”, influenced by the likes of Lily Allen and Kate Nash.

She has worked hard to mould her act into a musical and visual extravaganza, including a contemporary group dance of her own creation.

She said: “I feel really excited to have got this far. I am now rehearsing hard with my dancers to offer a flawless performance.

“I can’t wait - to win would be out of this world.”

The Hayes regional final will take place at the Beck Theatre on Sunday, October 7.

Successful songsters will then perform at the area finals in November, with the hope of entering the National Grand Final at London’s O2 Arena in January.

Sian’s music can be found at www.reverbnation.com/siangentle.

To book tickets to the Hayes final and support our budding local star, visit www.openmicuk.co.uk.