A NEWPORT teenager took her first steps towards musical stardom when she gave her first concert in front of 20,000 fans.

Supporting X Factor runners-up G4, finalists 2 to Go and 90s boy band 911, 15-year-old Rhiannon Sweeney performed at Bowood House, in Wiltshire.

"Performing was the best feeling in the world," she said. "I am willing to work hard at it so that hopefully one day I could be singing among the artists I watch on MTV, such as Dido and Leann Rimes."

Rhiannon, of Ridgeway, began singing three years ago.

She joined Music Wales about eight months ago, and has had opportunities to perform in a variety of shows, and compered a talent competition at the Kings Hotel, Newport.

With the help of Music Wales producers and writers, Rhiannon, who attends Monmouth Girls School, is working on her first album.

Bill Fitzgerald, managing director of the performance school and management company, said he knew she was ready to perform in front of a big crowd at last weekend's Crimestoppers-backed event.

"Rhiannon was fantastic," he said. "Her warm personality wowed the crowd, who loved her. Performing to a crowd of nearly 20,000 was the biggest performance of her life.

"She has a very special stage presence and a beautiful voice - a combination that will surely lead to success."