SINGING stars of tomorrow have made their voices heard for charity, with the aim of becoming the Voice of St Luke’s Hospice 2008.

The group sought out talented under-18s interested in becoming the official voice for the hospice, in Nethermayne, Basildon.

Against stiff competition, 16-year-old Cara Lea Dawson, saw off competition in two heats to be crowned the winner at the grand final, in front of a cheering audience at the Thameside Theatre, Orsett Road, Grays.

Cara Lea said: “I can’t believe it. It’s absolutely fantastic! When we did the soundcheck it all seemed to go wrong, so I was really nervous for the performance.

“There was some really fierce competition and my jaw just dropped when my name was called out.”

More than 20 singers took part in the final in front of judges, including radio producer Danny Lawrence, vocal coach Lesley Robinson and the Echo’s Claire Borley.

Appleton School pupil Cara Lea’s renditions of Frankie Valli’s Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You and Amy Winehouse’s Valerie won her the prize, by a single point.

Runner-up was Liam Walpole, 16, who had the audience clapping along to both his songs, while third place went to 13-year-old Charlotte Hardy.

Winner Cara Lea’s confident and pitch-perfect performances have won her a session in a recording studio and the chance to perform at hospice charity events in the coming months.

She said: “It’s a brilliant competition. I’m thrilled to get a chance to sing and to do it for charity. I have never even won a raffle, so I was really stunned.

“My mum saw an article about last year’s winner and said I should enter, but I never thought I would win.”

Cara Lea has been singing seriously since the age of 11 after joining Future Faces stage school at the age seven.

“I didn’t have much confidence so it helped me a lot,” she said.

The teenager’s ambition is to be a professional recording artist. She says: “I’d love to record my own songs, but really I just love singing.”

The prizes were presented by hospice founder and patron Trudy Westmore Cox.

She said: “As well as being a fabulous showcase for local talent, it has helped raise funds for our local hospice.” Mrs Westmore Cox thanked staff and volunteers who contributed to the day’s success.

She said: “Most of all I would like to thank the contestants and their families for making this such a memorable and enjoyable event.”