Leeds eight-year-old Lucy Sherman will have a new stage for her singing talents after winning a communal contest that attracted 80 local entertainers.

Lucy, who is currently performing in La Boheme with Leeds-based Opera North, delighted the 800 people in the audiences at the two Strictly Talent shows at the Grammar School at Leeds with her rendition of Wouldn't It Be Loverly? from My Fair Lady. Her prize is to appear with ex-G4 front man Jonathan Ansell in his Leeds City Varieties Music Hall show at the end of the month.

Ansell was on the judging panel along with comedian Howard Lee, music producer Brian Harris and Ansell's wife Debbie King, who told Lucy she had "star quality. I was moved by your performance. It had great control and I would be honoured to hear more of you in the future."

An overjoyed Lucy said it had been "the most exciting day of my life. To be chosen as the winner at both performances was just unbelievable. I'm so thrilled. Now I can't wait to sing with Jonathan at the City Varieties." She hopes to make the stage her career.

The contest was hosted by UK Israel Business in support of The Zone, Leeds Jewish Welfare Board, Donisthorpe Hall, Brodetsky Primary and Breast Cancer Haven. Other acts included rap singers, a comic rabbi, and a cross-dressing minstrel.