Songbird Courtney heads for London

At just sweet 16 Courtney Turner has already performed for thousands - wowing audiences and judges alike with her vocal and dancing talents.

Now the Worrall teenager is preparing to leave behind South Yorkshire after landing a place at the coveted London Studio Centre, where she will study musical theatre.

The former Bradfield school pupil said she was looking forward to the move - but expected it to be tough.

She said: "I am very excited about moving, although I am going to miss my family and my friends so much.

"I think it's going to be a big challenge - when you go down to London there are so many good people I'm going to have to make sure that I stand out."

Courtney, who has been dancing since she was just five years old, learning tap, ballet and modern as well as having vocal coaching, said her ambition was to work in the city's West End.

She added: "I haven't got a favourite musical - anything in the West End or on Broadway would be my dream job, or perhaps singing on a big cruise ship."

And she must certainly be well on her way - with a host of trophies, awards and medals behind her.

Just last month she landed first place in a competition called 'Stars of the Future' - run by professional singer and performer Stephanie King as a way of nurturing young talent.

With her performances of 'Ain't No Sunshine' and a medley called 'A Tribute to Moulin Rouge,' Courtney beat off competition from across the country to be crowned the Star of the Future 2007.

Two days later she had another trophy under her belt, after coming first in the South West Yorkshire Tap Championship at the Steel City Dance Festival.

She was also the All England Tap Dancing Champion in 2003 - coming runner up again in 2005 - while earlier this year her vocal talents landed her a slot opening the show at a memorial evening for comedian Charlie Williams at Batley Variety Club.

Television hasn't passed her by either, after she appeared in an episode of kids' TV programme 'My Parents Are Aliens' as the 'Gobby Girl'!

Courtney even manages to put her talents to use helping other people - touring around local clubs with Stephanie King's 'Soul Explosion' show, which has raised money for charities including the Bluebell Wood children's hospice and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

With these just some of her many achievements over the years mum Michelle, dad Paul, and brother Kurtis, aged 13, have plenty to be proud about.

Paul, 48, said: "We are upset that she is leaving us but we know that she has to go!"