SHE'S only 12 years of age, but singer Jamie Ward is pleading with fellow youngsters to stay away from drugs.

The North Yorkshire schoolgirl today released a heartfelt song, entitled Get A Life, with lyrics inspired by harrowing pictures of Rachel Whitear, the 21-year-old woman who died after becoming addicted to heroin.

Jamie's song has been recorded by the team at Pig Hut Studios, at Acaster Malbis, near York, after her talent was spotted by a recording supremo in London.

Jamie, whose family live near York, releases Get A Life today, under her stage name, Rogue. Proceeds from record sales will got to Addaction, a leading charity which helps young people combat drugs.

Jamie said: "The song started out being about bullying and school life, but then I saw the pictures of what happened to Rachael and I wanted to focus on that.

"Adults always go on at young people about drugs, but I thought more kids would be likely to hear the message through a song like this."

The song includes the lines:

"Her life was so sweet 'til she hit the clubs,

Partied all night and then she heard about drugs

It didn't take long, just a month or two,

She's hooked, can't stop, ain't nothing she can do."

Proud mum Tracy said: "She has got an amazing talent; her friends at school are all thrilled for her. She started singing at the age of nine. She's got an amazing ability to pick up a tune."

Stuart Browne, who helps his son Alex run Pig Hut Studios, said: "Jamie's is an exceptional, extraordinary talent."

Jamie's original demo was made at Pig Hut, before being sent to top London producer Alan Whitehead, who spotted its potential. Jamie was given voice coaching by Stevie Vann Lange, who has worked with chart-toppers Robbie Williams, Steps and Blue.

Updated: 11:30 Monday, March 18, 2002