A Haberdashers Monmouth School for Girls (HMSG) pupil is climbing the charts with her first steps into the music industry.

Queenie May Hayward-Durran, from Devauden, has been singing since a young age, and has been in training for five years.

At just 15, Queenie May has also been writing her lyrics and music for the past year and describes it as "pop with a rocky edge".

"It is just from how I feel at that time, I have an idea and have to write it down," she said.

Queenie May is currently signed by Kevin King at Optimum Records, based in Crickhowell, and Mr King has a lot of praise for the young singer.

"In 40 years of the record business, she's probably the best female vocalist we've had," he said

Her debut single, called Runaway, has been recorded and will be released 13th February.

The song started life as a GCSE music project and is already a hit, reaching as high as number two on the Amazon pre-release charts only days after it was uploaded.

Runaway has even been selected as single of the week on Radio Wales, and will be played four times a day on the week of the release.

Queenie May's album, which features the hit single, will be released around April or May.

"It is extremely exciting but quite daunting," she said.

A pupil at HMSG, Queenie May credits the training she has received there for her success.

She may be on the road to stardom, but Queenie May is also currently combining her music with studying for her GCSE exams in June.

Mario Conway, HMSG Head of Music, has long been aware of her potential: "Queenie is a shy and unassuming pupil who has not always been aware of the pure and beautiful voice she possesses.

"Her developing maturity has enabled it to become a highly individual voice that has the potential and quality for mass public appreciation. We will watch with interest," he said.