A HEREFORDSHIRE singer will take her belatedly discovered talent a stage further when she performs at a national karaoke final.

Lyny Wood-Cole, 37, from Longtown, will step into the spotlight at the Pubstars National Karaoke Competition in Lancashire despite starting to sing in public only 18 months ago.

"I always sang to myself in the car and bathroom but never thought I would be good enough to sing in public," said Lyny, who works as an estate agent in Hereford.

"I was surprised how good my voice was when I did it for the first time and it has got more powerful since."

Lyny, who won earlier rounds at the Wye Inn in Holme Lacy Road, Lower Bullingham, will perform numbers by Whitney Houston and Tina Turner at the final at The Park Hall Hotel in Camelot on Sunday May 20.

"They are hard songs to sing but I enjoy singing them and I've been practising alot at home," Lyny said. "I'm very excited about it and my boyfriend has been brilliant with his encouragement."

Lyny will be in line to win a £3000 first prize and a chance to record commemorative gold disc, at the event which will include a perfomance by ex-Steps star Lisa Scott-Lee.