A musical teenager from Norwich is preparing to sing in a talent show final in front of thousands of people.

Schoolgirl Emma Venier will get the chance of a lifetime when she takes the stage at the O2 Arena in the final of the OpenMic UK competition on January 19.

After having fought through several local and regional finals, Emma, 16, is hoping that her medley of her own song and VV Brown's Shark in the Water will help to impress music industry bosses and possibly secure a deal.

'I'm really excited but it's such a big venue,' said the Norwich High School for Girls student.

'It's quite daunting but will be really good experience for me whatever happens on the day.'

Among the 2,000-strong crowd will be up to 70 of Emma's friends and family, but she said she is not getting carried away at the prospect of winning.

'I'm just going to try to be myself and let that come through in the performance.

'Everyone wants to win but it's going to be so much fun and it will be nice to have that exposure.'

Emma, of Lime Kiln Mews in north Norwich, made it through to a regional final in Hayes, Middlesex, after impressing with a medley of an original composition and Outkast's Hey Ya, and progressing with a wild card vote.

Supported by a coachload of friends, she got through the regional final to earn her chance to sing at the O2.

She will be one of 30 finalists hoping to win a share of a £50,000 prize pot.

Previous winners of the award include Birdy, who has since become a regular on Radio 1 after signing with Warner Music.

Last year's winner, Hatty Keane, was signed to BGM Music and has since performed live alonside Ed Sheeran, Tinchy Stryder and Zane Lowe, and clocked up more than 200,000 views of her video on YouTube.

To see a video of Emma performing, go to www.eveningnews24.co.uk