A FORMER church choirgirl has her sights set on a career in rock music after reaching the grand final of a national singing contest.

Former Westholme School pupil Caroline Kenyon, will perform in front of thousands of people at the grand final of the Open Mic UK competition, at London’s O2 Arena later this month.

The 16-year-old, whose stage name is Caroline Eve, impressed during an audition and then the Scotland and the North West area final to secure a place at the O2.

Unlike most girls her age, she is a self-confessed huge fan of 1980s rock, particularly acts such as Queen, Bon Jovi, Meat Loaf and Cher.

The multi-talented youngster, who used to sing in The Blackburn Cathedral Girls’ Choir, is classically trained and able to play the piano and guitar.

But she is aiming to impress with a rendition of one of her own songs called Did I Ever Know You At All, and You Make Me Wanna Die by American rockers, The Pretty Reckless.

She said: “I’ve been brought up on that sort of music and have really taken a liking to it. I just love bands like Queen, Cher and Meat Loaf.”

Caroline, who is from Langho and is now studying at Runshaw College, will perform in the 16 and under category at the O2 on Thursday January 21.

She said: “When I was applying I just thought it would be a good experience and I wanted to see if I could get through the first round. But now I’m quite excited.

"I think before I go on I’ll be a bit nervous, but when I actually get on stage, generally the nerves are taken over by adrenaline.”

More than 25 of Caroline’s family and friends will travel to London to cheer her on as the competition, which attracted 9,000 applicants from all over the UK, reaches climax.

Proud mum Liz said: “Her ultimate goal is to become a professional singer - she has never deviated from that since forever.”