BLONDE singer Carrie Fitzpatrick is climbing the ladder to music stardom.

The 22-year-old from Bolton made it to the final 12 of a national singing competition staged in London.

And although she did not win the contest, she beat hundreds of hopefuls and was praised by judges.

Carrie, who has been singing at holiday parks across the country over the past few years, had won the Bolton heat at the Middlebrook Tavern.

She also triumphed at the Northern heat in Wakefield.

Carrie, daughter of Daubhill councillor Paul Fitzpatrick, sang Oleta Adam's "Get Here" and Bill Withers' "Lean on Me".

She said: "I'm having a great time and I'm was so pleased I got that far."