TALENTED young musician Anna Whitehouse hit the right note when she sat her first GCSE a year early.

The 15-year-old from West Rainton, who attends Durham Gilesgate Sports College and Sixth Form Centre, was given a 100 per cent mark for her solo and ensemble performances.

Anna, who will sit 12 further exams next year, now has a dilemma over her future career plans.

She said: "I have always wanted to be a paediatric surgeon and I was quite sure I would go on to study medicine.

"But now I'm not ruling anything out. I may even take a year out and see how far I can go in classical music, opera or musicals.''

Her music teacher, Eric Williamson, said: "She is a very talented and capable individual who has the potential to go very far in music if she chooses to.

"She participates as fully as possible in the musical life of the school.''

Anna plays piano at grade seven, clarinet at grade six and sings at grade five. She plays in the Durham Regional Wind Band, sings in Durham County Youth Choir and in her church choir.

Anna has also found time to gain her Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award and is a member of her church's fundraising committee