A GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter has an exciting year ahead as she prepares to release her debut album and perform at the star-studded Glastonbury Festival for the first time.

Laura White, from Atherton, has written songs for renowned artists like Alicia Keys, Rita Ora, Jess Glynne and Example since experiencing her first taste of fame as an X Factor finalist in 2008.

The 29-year-old has high hopes for her debut album and cannot wait to sing her heart out at Glastonbury next month, where the star turns will include Radiohead, Foo Fighters and Ed Sheeran.

"It is my first year at Glastonbury and I am really looking forward to it," said the former Fred Longworth High School pupil.

“Everything has been going really well recently and I have had great support over the years to take me to where I am now.

“It has been a very tough and amazing journey to get to this point but I have done it in the way I wanted, which is by writing and making real music.

“I am really excited about the release of my album.

“I have an amazing team behind me and I want to make songs that are true to my life."

Laura has recently signed a songwriting contract with Peer Publishing and finished a two-month UK-wide tour.

In February her third EP The Painted Door made the top 40 of iTunes' album chart.

Laura started her music career as the lead singer in Mark Ronson's girl band Summer of Sun at the age of 19.

She says soul music has been a lifelong passion and is part of her heritage.

“I am really proud to be producing music which embraces northern soul, and of course that is part of the history of Atherton," said Laura, who was nominated for a Grammy in 2015 for the song New York Raining she wrote for Rita Ora and Charles Hamilton.