FAYE Grieg stepped up to the microphone at a karaoke party two years ago and realised that she wanted to be a singer.

Inspired by US country stars LeAnn Rimes and the Dixie Chicks, Faye bought a karaoke machine of her own and started practising in front of her bedroom mirror.

Now the 18-year-old from Park North has recorded a CD and hopes to make it big in the music business.

"The tracks I've recorded are covers of big country songs," she said.

"I've always been into that type of music, and when people heard me singing they said I was really good."

Faye saved up £400 from her job as an administration officer at Witton Recruitment, and contacted Cirencester -based studio The Rock Factory.

She said: "At first, the studio session was pretty scary, but they gave me lots of support and helped me sound good."

The CD includes hits like Bette Midler's 'Wind Beneath My Wings' and the Dixie Chicks' 'Wide Open Spaces'.

Faye has sent copies to record companies BMG and Virgin, but has been told that it could take some time for a decision to be made.

"Whatever they say, I won't give up," she said.

"I see the money I paid for the studio as an investment, and I know I'm going to get it back."