A SINGER tipped as a top prospect for 2008 visited an Ealing school yesterday.

Victoria Hart, a former student of the Vocaltech singing school based in Acton, visited North Ealing primary school in Pitshanger Lane to perform for pupils and give them advice on how to achieve their dreams.

She told The Ealing Times: "I want to get my message across which is follow your dream, because that's the main thing that has happened to me. I wanted to be a singer since I was little, and however many people doubted me, here I am today.

"I've got the kids to get up and sing for me and I'm finding out there is so much talent out there."

The 19-year-old shot to fame when she performed for a host of celebrities, including George Clooney and Brad Pitt, on a yacht in Cannes for the Oceans 13 party at the film festival.

She said: "I used to live in Connaught Road in west Ealing and had a really good time when I was here, but it's a million miles away from where I am now.

"I moved there to come to music school in Acton when I was 16 just to work on music, but I was also working as a singing waitress at the same time at a restaurant in Richmond.

"A guy came into the restaurant and heard me sing and asked if I would sing at his party, which I agreed to thinking it was just a birthday or something.

"The next thing I know I'm flying out to the south of France and singing on a yacht with George Clooney and Brad Pitt and it's all kicked on from there.

"I'm having a fantastic time doing it and I'm just so lucky."

Victoria released her debut album, Whatever Happened to Romance?, in July and was rewarded with a million pound record deal with Universal Records.

Soon her seductive retro jazz songs were wowing audiences at venues like Glastonbury and world renowned jazz club Ronnie Scotts.

She said: "Coming back to doing tiny, intimate gigs like this after playing places like Glastonbury is really scary, added to the fact that I'm playing to kids, and if you don't get their vote now you won't ever get it.

"I'm so lucky because I love everything I do, the interviews, gigs and parties. I'm having a great time."