AVRIL Lavigne keeps her booty under skater wraps, she doesn't reckon bling is the thing, and her 2004 number one hit, Don't Tell Me, advocates not having sex. What kind of teenage role model is that?

Dubbed the anti-Britney, the Canadian singer-songwriter with the panda eye-make-up will be touring Britain this autumn, playing Sheffield Hallam FM Arena on October 12.

Born and raised in the small Canadian town of Napanee, Lavigne began singing and writing her own songs at an early age.

Initially, she performed at festivals and fairs, but while on a writing trip to New York City she was talent-spotted and signed to Arista Records by the label's new boss, L. A. Reid. She relocated to New York and then Los Angeles, completing work on her debut album, Let Go, which spawned her breakthrough hit, Complicated.

Released when she was 17, Let Go breached the USA top ten in June 2002. More hit singles followed with Sk8er Boi and I'm With You, and the album belatedly topped the British album charts in January 2003.

Now 19, Lavigne will be promoting her second album for the Arista label. Reviewed in the Evening Press last month, Under My Skin was described as "puppy-dog punk" by Stephen Hunt. "Lavigne's sound is maturing. The subject matter is too, moving from the wrestling with identity to the shrapnel of relationships," he wrote. Perhaps the hooks aren't as instantly catchy, but there is a greater depth here now and a stronger performer. Don't Tell Me is a breath of fresh air - a song about not having sex; how common are those in the charts? - while I Always Get What I Want is like a young Joan Jett in action."

Tickets for October 12 are on sale at £21.50 at the Arena box office, 0114 256 5656, or online at www.hallamfmarena.co.uk

Updated: 15:21 Thursday, July 01, 2004