A BOLLYWOOD singer has got through the regional finals of one of the country’s biggest live music competitions.

Bhagwati Chohan wowed judges at the Open Mic UK auditions and is now in with a chance of competing for a place in the national final at The O2 Arena in London.

The Huntingdon-based singer, who was first talent-spotted in Peterborough after years of singing at home having been taught by her dad as a child using a harmonica, faced a heartstopping moment as the judges decided whether to put her through to the next round.

The 44-year-old impressed with her performance in front of the judges they asked her to sing without her lyrics in front of her before putting her through.

“I just went in and sang as I would normally sing,” she said.

“I wasn’t sure how well I did but the feedback I got as good. I am used to singing in public but this is quite big, so I am really pleased to get through.”

Ms Chohan hopes the event will give her the chance to break through to the national stage.

“The latter stages of the competition will also provide acts with the opportunity to impress many guests from record labels, agencies and the entertainment industry as well as judges from BBC Introducing, national radio and regional press, with judges being more prestigious in the later rounds,” competition spokesman Ben Price said.

“The acts are all aiming to make it to that prestigious final at The O2 where the spotlight will be on all the acts with a chance to be signed.”

Papworth Everard couple Katie Parnell and Joachim Malan have also been shortlisted for the final of the Virgin Media Shorts competition.

They hope their short film, A Brush with a Bee, will take the honours in the contest and bag prize money of �30,000 towards their next film.