LOTTIE Jenkins used to fool around with her mum’s mobile phone, recording herself singing.

Now the talented 12-year-old is in the final 10 of a nationwide young songwriter contest and preparing for an appearance in London.

Lottie, who lives with parents Debs Robinson and Russell Jenkins in Old Walcot, recorded her song Kiss Your Old Life Away in the studio at Commonweal School where she is in Year 7.

It will be judged by established songwriters including Tom Odell, Rumer, Lou Rhodes and record producer Fraser T Smith before the winners of the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition are announced on May 8.

“I was confident but I didn’t think I would end up in the top 10,” said a pleased Lottie.

“My mum was so surprised.”

The youngster started out playing with her mum’s mobile and moved on to proper singing lessons. To improve her vocal range the teacher encouraged her to try classical music, but her favourite style is somewhere between blues and pop.

And she has no idea where her singing and writing talent has come from.

“My parents only sing along to olden days songs,” she said. “We’ve got no musical history in our family.”

But although she is excited by beating hundreds of hopefuls to reach the finals, she isn’t getting carried away by the lure of a potential popstar career.

“I actually want to become a businesswoman. If I was famous I wouldn’t be able to go out and buy a coffee or do things like that. I don’t really like the idea of that kind of lifestyle,” she said.

“We first came across Lottie when we were looking for young people to perform at the Little Big Festival and our own singer songwriter event,” said Commonweal’s community arts development officer Josie Williams.

“That was two years ago and we were so wowed by her she made the hairs on the back of our neck stand up. It was even better news when this amazing young lady came up to join us at Commonweal School.

“Lottie is only 12 and has an amazing voice for someone so young and she writes her own material. When the email for the competition came in the very first name that came into my head was Lottie’s so Nick Weaver our Performing Arts technician got Lottie into the studio to record her song,” she said.

“We are so pleased for Lottie who is lovely girl, quiet and unassuming, but with this big warm voice with such depth and maturity, she sings well beyond her years,” added head of faculty Ali Sutcliffe.

The competition, which has two categories for seven to 12-year-olds and 13 to 18s, will showcase all the finalists during the Hammersmith and Fulham ArtsFest on June 12.

Winners will have the chance to record their song in a London studio with a top producer and their prizes will include a Farida guitar and a Yamaha keyboard.

The public can also choose its winners via a Twitter poll @SongacademyUK