Shropshire singing sensation Katie Young today took her first step towards pop stardom after winning a coveted place at the county’s very own “Fame Academy”.

Katie, nine, of Bomere Heath near Shrewsbury beat scores of rivals last weekend to earn a year’s scholarship at the acclaimed Stagecoach Theatre School in Telford. The competition was run in conjunction with the Shropshire Star.

Today she lined up alongside other drama and singing students to be put their their paces at the fame academy based at New College, Wellington.

And she said she hoped the experience would help her to hone her talents over the next 12 months.

She said during a break: “It’s been really good fun – we’ve been doing drama and dancing and I am really enjoying it so far.”

Stagecoach principal Ian Billings added: “The students have really been enjoying themselves and are throwing themselves in at the deep end.

“Katie has certainly got a talent that we are going to nurture and grow over the next year – she certainly jumped out at us at the auditions.”

The four runners-up – Telford pair Louis Coupe and Melissa Pugh, Rachel Carrington, of Shrewsbury, and Lucy Llewellyn of Bridgnorth – also attended today’s session as they won month-long scholarships.

Youngsters from across the county attended last Sunday’s auditions and Katie secured the top prize worth £900 with her performance of the Hilary Duff tune, Wake Up.

Picture: Shropshire Star Fame Academy winner Katie Young, centre, with runners- up, from left, back Melissa Pugh and Lucy Llewellyn and, front, Louis Coupe and Rachel Carrington.