STAGE fright may cause some performers to freeze but it brings out the best of one talented teenage singer.

Jasmin Winifred won a talent show at her school, Oasis Academy, Coulsdon, with a rendition of Beyonce's song Listen.

The 13-year-old says she would not have done it if she had not been a bundle of nerves beforehand.

She said: "A lot of people think I won't get nervous but I do – sometimes I even feel a bit sick.

"At the beginning when you are looking out at the audience when the music hasn't started it is nerve-racking but when the music starts I go into my own world and become free.

"I have to have the nerves, if I didn't there would be something wrong, the nerves definitely help me."

After winning the contest, called Oasis Got Talent, Jasmin, of Courtney Road, Waddon, is planning on entering more talent competitions.

She will also be auditioning for a place at the prestigious BRIT Performing Arts and Technology School, in Selhurst, when she turns 14.

Jasmin hopes to follow in the footsteps of the school's former pupil Leona Lewis, who has become an international star.

The youngster became interested in singing when, after humming a tune one day at home, her mum commented on what a nice voice she had.

Slowly Jasmin, who is the youngest member of Croydon gospel band Genesis, developed her voice.

But she still did not expect to take first place in the talent show at her school, which took place last month.

She said: "Everyone was really good, there were some acts who were so good I thought they would make the final instead of me.

"It was such a shock to win."

Her mum Julia said: "I honestly don't know where she gets it from because her dad is tone deaf.

"I'm a member of a choir but I could never get up on stage, I don't know how she does it.

"It is an amazing feeling watching your child on stage and knowing she has a God-given talent, it's just beautiful."