A LYME Regis teenager is about to make her first CD after her talent was recognised by a local DJ. Shannon Turner, 13, of Kingsway, currently sings in pubs at the weekend and will be making music compiling songs with Tony Lock, of Okey Dokey Karoake.

A LYME Regis teenager is about to make her first CD after her talent was recognised by a local DJ.

Shannon Turner, 13, of Kingsway, currently sings in pubs at the weekend and will be making music compiling songs with Tony Lock, of Okey Dokey Karoake.

Tony, who is based near Ottery St Mary, said: "Shannon is definitely one of the better talents I have seen in recent years and I hope to be doing some work with her in the coming years.

"She's so young but has a lot of potential. She has all the right attributes to make a good singer - a good, strong voice, growing confidence, and image. She has an idea of how she should look while singing.

"I will be recording a couple of songs. I work with selected singers over a period of time and some have actually started singing in their own right as working singers.

"As Shannon matures she will develop her own style. The best is yet to come."

Shannon sings in The Ship Inn and the Famous Old George in Seaton on a Sunday, and sometimes at the Axminster Inn on Friday nights.

The youngster, whose music taste ranges from Queen to Bon Jovi, said: "I just do it for the sheer pleasure and people's reaction. I don't plan to do X-Factor or any of those types of shows - I think it's slightly silly how they do it."

She added she does not get stage fright while she sings - but after each performance.

"I'm absorbed when I'm singing," she said. "But as soon as I finish I'm aware of everybody looking."

Parents Lance and Paula say Shannon, who started singing at 11, does not recognise her own talent.

They are considering getting her coaching to improve her breathing and technique.

Lance said: "I don't think she realises how good she is. I listen to comments from other people, including other singers, who say she's excellent. I watch the reaction of people and it's very positive. They just go quiet and everyone watches her.

"She sings 24/7 at home. But I don't know who she gets it from. I can't sing a note!"

Paula added: "We are very proud of her and love it. Even if she doesn't want to make a career out of it, it could be a back up. If she decides to go to university, for example, she could make a few pounds from singing to support herself."

Tony advised people interested in singing to get out there and give it a try.

He said: "Sing as much as you can, get out, and get other people's opinion. We are running more extended sessions at The Ship Inn and it's a real test of what people can do. They get to sing more than one song in a real live environment."

n For more information on Tony's sessions, call him on 07930 454450.

n The Sunday sessions, when Shannon sings, are held at The Ship Inn in Axmouth, from 3.30pm to 6.30pm.