TALENTED Sanaz Lavasani, 15, from Kirklevington, won the first Cleveland Centre Top Spot singing competition, held in the Middlesbrough shopping centre.

She beat off fierce competition from ten other finalists with her rendition of Bette Midler song The Rose, winning studio recording time, record vouchers, music sheets, a day at BBC Radio Cleveland and a trophy.

Sanaz, a pupil at Conyers School, said: "I was quite nervous before going on stage but singing is something I love and what I really want to do professionally, so I had to deal with it."

Centre manager David Ward, one of the judges, said he was impressed with the calibre of the contestants.

"We had more entries than we ever expected, all of a very high standard and hope that we can host a bigger and better event next year."