A performing arts student from Witham will sing at Sir Richard Branson's birthday party tomorrow night.

Rickstones School and College pupil Lucy Quinlan will sing in front of 10,000 people at the Virgin boss's 54th birthday celebration.

Lucy, 16, of Gershwin Boulevard, was asked to sing at the party in Oxfordshire after she competed in a competition which would involve the finalists being shown on Virgin flights.

She got to the final but was disqualified because she needed to be 18 or over so a consolation she was asked to sing at the birthday ball.

Lucy said: "I'm really excited. It's like a really big opportunity for me."

Once she finishes at school, Lucy hopes to attend a professional performing arts college and go on to sing in the West End.

Published Friday, September 3, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette