THE dream of pop stardom for a York schoolgirl has come a step closer after she took to the stage as part of a national talent competition.

Katherine Hunter, 13, a pupil of Millthorpe School, was one of hundreds of hopefuls to audition in front of cameras in London for the chance to have her performance shown at a ball hosted by Capital FM.

Katherine, pictured, hopes her performance of Shakin’ Stevens’ hit Merry Christmas Everyone will impress the judges enough for her to present her video in front of thousands of people at London’s O2 Arena next month for the Jingle Bell Ball.

She said: “I’ve always loved singing. I’ve performed all the time at school and really wanted to travel to London for the audition. It’s my dream to one day make it as a pop star and I hope the judges think I’m good enough. When tickets went on sale for the ball I was so frustrated because they sold out so quickly I didn’t have a chance of getting hold of one.

“However, I gave it my all in the audition and I think I might have a good chance of winning, I’m going to keep my fingers crossed.”