The 17-year-old, from Whitburn, was crowned the winner of South Tyneside's Got Talent.

The competition was the brainchild of 19-year-old Simon Barker, who is a volunteer at Lukes Lane Youth Project, based at Lukes Lane Community Association in Hebburn.

Fiona won over the judges – Garner Harris, Colin Bourdiec and Britain's Got Talent contestant Jayne Welch – with her emotional performance of Maybe I Like It This Way, from the musical Wild Party.

She was accompanied on stage by pal Andrew Richardson, who played the piano and picked out the song.

The St Anthony's sixth-form student said: "Everyone was saying 'well done' to each other backstage, but no one thought it would be them who won.

"It was a little bit scary, as I'd never competed with my voice before, but it was such a lovely surprise to win.

"I just want to say thank you to Andrew and all the friends, and particularly family, who came out to support me. And a special thank you to the judges for choosing me."

Fiona may have scooped the £500 prize money, but she took part in the competition at the last minute.

Her mum Janice, 53, said: "It was a complete spur of the moment thing. A friend had told her about it, but she decided not to go, then about half an hour before the end, she decided to go.

"I'm so glad she did. She doesn't normally take part in competitions, so she didn't know what to expect, but it was fantastic to see her win."

Although Fiona doesn't normally enter competitions, she's no stranger to the limelight, starring in Charity Productions and South Shields Musical Productions shows, as well as having the audience laughing in the Sunderland Empire aisles as Mrs Meers in Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Fiona added: "It wasn't competitive at all, and I've made some new friends."

The newly-appointed Mayor of South Tyneside, Coun Alex Donaldson, said: "It was a great night with an amazing atmosphere, and it was a real pleasure to see such a tremendous standard of talent.

"The judges certainly had a tough decision to make, but I'd like to congratulate Fiona who was a very deserving winner.

"This show was a credit to the young people who led the event, as well as those who performed on the night.

"Their energy was amazing, and they clearly showed their appreciation of each other's acts and of all the work behind the scenes.

"There are so many talented young people in the borough. Hopefully, events like this will inspire more of them to get involved in this type of activity."