YOUNG Exbourne singing star Nadrah Alshawi added another string to her bow recently, when she was shortlisted for Exeter's equivalent of ITV's Pop Idol.

Nadrah, 16, was one of three finalists in the 'Search for a City Star' competition launched by Gemini FM, which attracted 117 young wannabes.

But the final decision lay with radio listeners who were invited to vote for their favourite finalist after several days of airplay.

Nadrah was just pipped at the post by boyband hopeful Brinley Way.

His prize was to sing in front of 10,000 people at the switching-on ceremony of Exeter's Christmas lights on Sunday.

Although not a newcomer to talent competitions, Nadrah, who won Star 2000 at Jethro's at Lewdown last year, said it was a very nerve-racking experience.

'This is the first one I have done on such a large scale,' she said.

'At one point I thought I had mucked it up so I was really surprised when I was picked for the final.'

The competition was open to young people under 18 and auditions were held at the Phoenix Centre.

Teenagers in search of the limelight had started queuing as early as 4am, hoping to be in with a chance of success.

Nadrah's audition piece was 'Ava Maria' but judges saw how versatile she was when she also sang Whitney Houston's 'I Will Always Love You.'

A fan of 'Pop Idol', Nadrah said the competition was very similar but the judges were 'not as nasty.'

It was a conscious decision by the judges to give all the contestants positive feedback.

'I am really glad I took part and I am not disappointed that I didn't win — singing in front of 10,000 would have been a bit too scary,' she said.

'I think the whole competition was good experience for me because I would love to be a professional singer.'

Billed as Devon's answer to Charlotte Church, the teenager sings everything from classical to R&B and pop and is often invited to sing at events in the Okehampton area.

She is also a member of Hatherleigh Players and plays the Cheshire cat in their forthcoming panto, Alice in Wonderland.

Last year she was lucky enough to travel to America with the Braunton-based Tom Armstrong Academy, which supports young performers, thanks to sponsorship from the Okehampton Lions and Rotary clubs.

Nadrah's mum Jenny said she had never pushed her daughter, it was just something she loved to do.

'I say to Nadrah as long as she is happy and having fun then she should keep singing,' she said.

'We are very proud of what she has achieved.'

Nadrah is currently studying music, drama, dance and media studies at Exeter College.