A FORMER Stourbridge student is hoping for success in the UK's biggest talent contest outside television's X-Factor.

Laura Broad, who is studying drama at Exeter University, has beaten thousands of singers and bands across the country to make it through to the live stages of Live & Unsigned South Coast Idol.

The 23-year-old former King Edward's student, who enjoyed taking to the stage in musicals while at the Lower High Street college, is now preparing to compete against 20 other hopefuls on Friday March 23 for a place in the regional final after making it through auditions at Bath.

The grand final of the competition is set for May 26 at Portsmouth Guildhall and the overall winner will scoop a £20,000 management contract with Future Music and the chance to perform as many as 50 gigs across the south of England, with the aim of ultimately getting signed to a major record label.

Commissioned by ITV for its new broadband channel, the competition will be broadcast as a series in the early spring on www.itvlocal.tv Laura's dad Brian Broad, who lives in Wollescote, said: "I'm delighted with her success so far.

"She's always enjoyed performing since she was about 12."

Progress on the competition can also be followed website www.southcoastidol.co.uk Check out Laura's singing on free website www.xfactorchallenge.co.uk.