MUSICAL Michelle Hicks has bought her dream keyboard after being given £1,200.

Michelle, 13, from Marsden, received the money from a bursary scheme run by BBC talent show Fame Academy.

The scheme was run via the show's website and had two age groups, 11 to 15 and 16 to 30.

Entries were taken back in May.

Entrants aged 16 to 30 had to compete for a few grants of £37,500 to further their musical education.

Those in the 11 to 15 group, like Michelle, had to send an email detailing why they should get money to buy instruments.

Out of thousands of entries, 150 were chosen to receive £1,200 each.

Michelle, a pupil at Colne Valley High School, bought a Yamaha keyboard from Huddersfield music store Woods.

She said she was surprised to have been chosen.

She added: "I just wrote that I have been playing guitar and keyboard since I was five years old and I write songs.

"I'm really surprised. I'll have to practise a bit more often now I've got my own keyboard."

Michelle has never had formal music lessons, but has been taught at home by her musical father, Paul.

He said he and Michelle's mother, Sue, were very pleased.

Mr Hicks added: "She's done very well to be picked out of thousands of people.

"She's got the urge to learn, which is great," he said.

It has not yet been decided whether the BBC bursary scheme will run again next year.