Southwater 14-year-old Clarisse Mizoule has successfully gone through the Open Mic competition and will take part in the Regional Final at the Hove Centre on 18 October.

Clarisse said: “I have been working very hard over the last seven years towards my passion: singing. I started singing when I was 7 and since then have passed my grades successfully. I obtained my Grade 7 with distinction and am now working towards my Grade 8. I can’t wait to have my diploma and if all goes well I should have it by the time I am 16.

“Music was my first love. Although I am totally aware that the music industry is a very challenging one.

I am originally from France (born on Bastille Day!), I moved to the UK with my mum when I was three.”

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Open Mic UK 2014 is the biggest search for unsigned talent in the UK, and travels the country every year in search of the UK’s best singers, singer-songwriters, rappers and vocalists of all genres.