WANNABE pop stars from the North-East are one step closer to fame after reaching the second round of a national singing competition.

Jammie Dodgers launched the search for a pint-size pop star in association with Fox Kids TV back in July.

Kelly McWaters, 11, from Chilton, in County Durham, is one of 18 youngsters to reach the October half-term regional heat at the Asda store at the Gateshead MetroCentre.

And if she is chosen as one of the top ten finalists, Kelly will get to perform her song at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London. Her performance will then be screened on Fox Kids along with the nine other finalists, before the public votes for their favourite.

The winner will become a star for the day, during which they will get to record a single on CD, as well as receiving advice from a vocal coach, choreographer, stylist and make-up artist.

To enter the Jammie Dodgers' competition, children aged five to 11 were invited to send a video of themselves to their local Asda supermarket, or by trying out their talents on stage at one of five Asda store roadshows.

Kelly said "I'm really pleased to have got through to the regional heats.

"I'm always singing around the house and can't believe I could be in with a chance to let the nation vote for my voice on Fox Kids.

"I hope to be one of the top ten to go to Abbey Road - it would be so amazing."

Among the other semi-finalists are Brittany Knowles, 11, and brother and sister Tom and Anna Reed, all from Darlington, and Victoria Knight, ten, from Witton Park, near Bishop Auckland.

* Full list of semi-finalists: Coral Maciera (Dalton Grange), Lynsey Irving (Wigton, Cumbria), Victoria Knight (Witton Park), Emma Gerry (Sunderland), Ashleigh Graham (Kirklevington), Adele McFarlane (Hartlepool), Kelly McWaters (Chilton), Brittany Knowles (Darlington), Zara Longshaw (Newcastle), Harriet Hudson (Washington), Jessica Robinson (Normanby), Laura Robson (Whitley Bay), Amy Tuddenham (Sunderland), Jane Corney (Houghton-le-Spring), Paige Richards (Gateshead), Tom Reed (Darlington), Anna Reed (Darlington), Hazel Pude (South Shields).