A TEENAGER who discovered her voice after years of being unable to hear is celebrating after making it to the semi-finals of a top singing competition.

Harriet Thornton began losing her hearing at the age of five after contracting an ear infection and it not only until she turned eight that she underwent surgery to regain her hearing.

Now aged 14, the youngster entered Sing, Bolton Sing and made it to the semi-finals of the X Factor style competition in the Market Place shopping centre on Saturday.

Harriet’s mum, Julie Robinson said she was reluctant to enter the competition due to a lack of confidence but was amazed to see her make it to the semi-finals.

She said: “She only got her hearing when she was eight after having an operation to construct her left ear drum out of cartilage from her temples.

"After her operation she got headaches as everything seemed loud and hurt her head. It took a while to settle.

“Before then we never realised she could sing.

“She started singing in the shower and other people would say to me ‘gosh doesn’t your daughter have a beautiful voice’.

“When we heard about the competition it was actually me who encouraged her to enter. She didn’t want to at all and really didn’t believe in herself.

“To get through to the semi-finals is amazing and has done wonders for her confidence – we are all so proud of her.”

Harriet, who lives in Higher Dunscar, Egerton, sang Words Ain’t Gonna Win, a song she wrote while struggling with friendships in school.

She said: “I wrote it because I was having trouble at school with friends.

“The lyrics are about carrying on when people call you names or upset you, you just have to get on with it and be strong.

“At first it was just a song I wrote for myself to listen to and my music teacher did the backing track.

“But now more people have heard it it’s become more well-known and people actually listen to it.”

Mrs Robinson added: “Because of her lack of hearing she was a bit behind at school and had trouble with friends.

“We ended up moving her to another school and she wrote her song about the problems she’s had.

“She is so inspiring and strong for her age, we’re gutted she didn’t make the finals but so amazed at how far she’s come.”

The final of Sing Bolton Sing will be held on Saturday, May 13.