A YOUNG singing sensation from Louisiana has been causing a stir in Powick, where she has been staying with her pen-pal.

Although only 12-years-old, Taylor Horn is a rising star in the US, sharing a voice coach with artists including Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears, who also comes from Taylor's hometown, Kentwood.

She released her first self-penned single, There's Something Wrong Here, at the age of ten and has gone on to play concerts all over the US. A new single, Slam, is due shortly.

But for the last fortnight, Taylor, dubbed the Little Girl with the Great Big Voice, has been relaxing with her pen-friend Molly Gamble.

Taylor's grandma Lesley Jones was introduced to Molly's mum, Barbara, through an online quilting group. The two girls first met four years ago in Florida.

They have been e-mailing each other since but this is the first time Taylor has been to visit Molly at home.

"I've always wanted to come to England and now that I'm here I really, really love it and don't want to go back! I love Molly's life," she said.

The girls have enjoyed visits to Worcester and Malvern and home-schooled Taylor even spent a day with Molly at Dyson Perrins CE High School.

"It was great, though one or two of my friends went a bit crazy when they saw her," said Molly.

"I've played them all her songs on my iPod."

Taylor specialises in blues and Country and Western music and says her favourite song is Proud Mary by Tina Turner.

Although frequently compared to Britney Spears, she says she is not interested in sounding like anyone else.

"Singing is something I've always wanted to do but I just want to be my own person, not to copy anyone else," she said.

"I'd just like to be really famous."

Taylor is due to appear on two British television programmes in the next few months. Details are yet to be confirmed.