A 15-year-old singer songwriter won an award for a song she wrote for a friend’s birthday.

Natalie Shay, 15, of New Southgate, won the music category at the Future8 awards, held at the Google Campus in Bonhill Street, London last Saturday, for her song Happy Birthday Alex and its accompanying video.

Natalie, who attends the Brit school in Croydon, won a professional recording session with NOW Music, who sponsored the award, and the opportunity to meet one of their artists.

Her father, Rodney Shay, said: “I am so proud of her, she spent forever on this project. Natalie is such a perfectionist and so immensely talented.”

Launched in partnership with The Guardian, the awards aim to encourage seven to 17 year olds to develop their digital skills and showcase their talent.