Odiham singer songwriter in final of RAF Factor

She could become the modern day version of Vera Lynn performing to the forces at the final of the RAF Factor, on September 3.

Singer songwriter Kelly Peffers, who lives at RAF Odiham, is down to the last ten acts in the forces version of the hit TV series The X Factor.

The 24-year-old is at boot camp this week, where her singing and performance skills are being polished ready for the show-stopping showdown being held at RAF Cranwell.

But this isn't the pregnant mum's first brush with high profile talent competitions. This year she also got through to the second round of The X Factor.

"Disappointed not to go further but I'm excited to give it my all at the RAF Factor," she said.

"Music is part of me. My great great great grandmother was an opera singer, and my mum used to be a DJ."

Ironically, Kelly only discovered she had a singing talent when she was 14.

"My music teacher at school challenged us to mix two songs together. I closed my eyes because I was so nervous, started singing and when I opened them everyone's jaws had dropped. I was then asked to join the school band."

From there she formed her own band, became a session singer at studios in her native Plymouth, began gigging regularly, and even sang at her own wedding.

Her writing partner is Russ Mackenzie and her tracks are available online at Band App. She is currently the number one selling artist, she says.

"My musical inspirations are Karen Carpenter, Barbara Streisand and Kate Bush," she said, "although my own music is quite eclectic – anything from drum and bass to stuff much softer."

The RAF Factor saw six regional heats held at RAF Stations across the country, including one at RAF Akrotir.

Performers are over 18 and are either RAF personnel, dependants of RAF personnel - like Kelly - or MOD civilians working at RAF Stations.