A SOUTHAMPTON singer has faced off competition from thousands of other artists to be earn a place in the UK’s top ten unsigned women.

Just Millie, pictured, began performing in the local circuit from 2010 and has struck success this year, performing at several major festivals including Bestival on the Isle of Wight and Victorious in Southsea.

As well as playing at the opening ceremony for the America’s Cup in Portsmouth she released her new double a-side single Lanterns/Not OK this summer.

She said: “It’s so amazing to get recognition for all the hard work put in.

“It means a great deal to me and the crew involved.”

The Unsigned Music Awards were launched in 2012 and have gathered votes from more than 23,000 music lovers, including celebrities such as Winchester folk singer Frank Turner and ex-Saints footballer Gareth Bale.

Other categories include Best Band, Best Male, and Best Song, with the latter previously won by Molly Smitten-Downes, who went on to represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest.

Each winner will be crowned following an online public vote at Best of British (BoB) Unsigned, which hosts the awards and supplies a weekly radio show to listeners in 15 countries.

Matt Graveling, BoB founder, said: “The UK produces the best musicians in the world and we get to play them before anyone else. The UMAs are the much-needed recognition that these musicians need in order to realise just how good they are.”

This year’s judges are Fun Lovin’ Criminals frontman Huey Morgan, You Me at Six guitarist Max Helyer, and staff at the Q music magazine.

Max Helyer said: “New music is the lifeblood of our industry and being the first to see the stars of tomorrow is something all true music fans are passionate about.”

Huey Morgan added: “If those of us who have jumped into the deep end don’t report back to the next generation what we have experienced, we would be remiss in our endeavour.”

To vote visit bobunsigned.com.