BRAVE Aimee Wallace is today preparing to face the limelight once again after her dreams of becoming a performer were nearly scuppered by a car crash.

BRAVE Aimee Wallace is today preparing to face the limelight once again after her dreams of becoming a performer were nearly scuppered by a car crash.

The 14-year-old rising star from Felixstowe suffered nasty injuries in the incident three months ago - shortly after competing in the final of a national talent show.

There were fears the ordeal would ruin her chances of following in the footsteps of her aunt Gemma Andrews, who is currently starring in Mamma Mia in the West End.

But the young singer/ songwriter has pushed her physical and emotional trauma backstage by entering new X-Factor-style contest, called Open Mic UK.

Aimee, a pupil at Orwell High School, said: “I still don't like going in cars. I haven't got over the accident and still get flashbacks. But this competition is going to be a lot of fun.”

Aimee had got into a car with four friends on June 5, but within a few minutes the vehicle had allegedly careered into a wall in Hamilton Gardens in Felixstowe.

She limped from the vehicle with a broken finger and toe, whiplash, cuts to her eye and nursing a wound where her belly button bar had been ripped out.

But she owes her life to her seatbelt - and has been dealing with the trauma by making a poster to promote the virtues of strapping yourself in.

Her mother, Shez Southernwood, 40, of Cobbold Road, Felixstowe, said: “For a young girl, facial scarring is a big deal, particularly for someone wanting to perform.

“I was worried it would have knocked her self-confidence so much that there would be no way of her getting back up on stage and being herself again.

“Her love and passion for performing is as strong, if not stronger, than I thought it was.”

Aimee made it through to the national final of the Live and Unsigned competition earlier this year, but unfortunately did not win the event.

She now hopes to go one step further in the Open Mic UK, where she will perform one of her own songs and a cover track at the regional final in Bedford on November 1.

The winner of the national final, held in the O2 Arena, will be given the chance to record their own album with an industry specialist.

For more information on the Open Mike UK competition, visit www.OpenMicUK.com.

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