A singing sensation from Hampton High School has won a place on the National Youth Boys' Choir at his first ever audition.

Andre Serra, 15, had never sung in a choir before auditioning in November last year.

Despite his inexperience the youngster was chosen ahead of thousands of hopefuls to join the prestigious ensemble.

He will now be singing with the choir and the South Asian Music Youth Orchestra at a concert in April at the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham.

Before that, he will attend a week-long rehearsal residential course at Roald Dahl’s old school, Repton School in Derbyshire in the Easter break.

He said: "I had singing lesson at home but had never sung in a choir. I didn't want to join a local choir because they all seemed to be singing pop songs.

"I wanted to sing classical music so I decided to try out for the National Choir. We travelled to Birmingham to sing. I really wanted to see if I could do this.

"It was a very nerve wracking experience because I had never auditioned before so didn't know what to expect. Thankfully I feel like I did quite well."

Andre sung Caro Mio Ben, written in 1783 and written by Italian composer Tommaso Giordani.

He said: "I got an email saying I had got in on my way back from school. We turned the car straight back around and went back to school to tell my tutor.

"It was really a surprise but in a good way. Now I'm really looking forward to the concert in Nottingham. It is going to be nerve wracking but a great experience. I can't wait."

Notable Youth Choir alumni included West End star Jon Robyns, former Eastenders actress Rae Hendrie and tenor Ben Thapa from chart topping opera group G4.