A FEW months ago Huddersfield teenager Laura Crank was too shy to sing in public.
But now, the 16-year-old is a karaoke queen and has just recorded her own CD.
Laura, from Colne Bridge, had always sung privately as a hobby, but would never sing in public - not even in front of her dad, Stewart.
But mum Julia had heard her vocal talents and persuaded her to enter the Ashbrow Factor talent contest after spotting an advert in the Examiner.
This took place at the Deighton Centre in February and featured dancers, singers and dramatists from the local community.
The talent show was broadcast on Home 107.9 FM radio and 12 finalists were chosen.
Laura, a childcare student at Huddersfield New College, came second in the competition.
But the winner was a breakdancer, so he could not benefit from the prize, a recording session at HD1 Studios in Hillhouse.
So it was given to Laura.
She went into the studios last Wednesday and recorded three tracks, including the song she sang at the contest, Bette Midler's Wind Beneath My Wings.
Ten CDs featuring the three songs have been created for Laura.
Morris Simpson, organiser of the Ashbrow Factor, has taken a CD and is playing it to organisers of the Deighton Carnival and Huddersfield Carnival to see if Laura can sing at the summer events.
He is also talking to Huddersfield Town bosses to arrange for her to sing at one of the team's home games at the Galpharm Stadium.
Laura said she has been amazed by the experience.
She said: "It has been fantastic. Everyone has been so nice and they made me really welcome in the studio.
"Singing was always just a hobby, but I've been to karaoke a few times and I really enjoy it.
"I'm hoping to sing more in public."
