A TALENTED woman who has been blind four years is "feeling good" about her chances of winning a regional talent competition after hitting the right notes

Twenty-six-year-old Beth Harris, of Warndon Villages, blew away the Worcester judges with her stunning performance of the Nina Simone classic Feeling Good at the area heat of Chicago Rock Caf's national Rock Idol competition.

The wannabe star - who went blind as a result of diabetes - fought off stiff competition from more than 13 other hopefuls at the event at the city's New Street bar.

A credit controller at Countrywide Farmers, Defford Mill, near Pershore, Beth's prize is studio time to record one of her songs.

Now, with hopes of winning the regional final, she is out to prove that her disability is no obstacle to stardom.

"It was fantastic to win the Worcester heat and a big surprise - everyone was really nice in the competition," she said.

"It was a bit nerve-racking but it helped that I couldn't actually see the people."

Beth became blind after suffering from diabetic retinopathy, a condition which causes blood vessels in the eye to bleed.

Although she had 40 laser treatment operations, they failed to save her sight.

The spirited performer now hopes to push herself further into the limelight and has already had offers to perform at a festival in Gloucestershire and at a Proms concert.

"I've learnt to adapt to my disability really," she said. "It's just a case of getting on with it.

"There are a few things that are a bit more difficult now than they used to be but overall nothing has changed really."