Former Navy communicator Vicky Jones is hoping to win this year's UK Songwriting Contest.

Vicky, 26, of Stanford-le-Hope, wrote many of her tunes aboard HMS Norfolk, where she served in the Gulf for four years.

Vicky, a former St Clere's School pupil, said: "Songs can hide a lot of things, but at the same time be expressive. Writing really helps to get things out in the open.

"I write what I feel, but I think people can relate to them too."

She has been writing songs since she was a old enough to put pen to paper and has entered eleven of her tracks into this year's UK Songwriting Contest.

One of the songs, Just Give Me Time, was played to listeners on BBC Essex's Sadie Nine Breakfast Show on Saturday morning and received rave reviews.

Vicky, who works as an Essex probation supervisor, said: "They played the whole song and listeners called in to say they liked it.

"I even had an e-mail from someone saying how much they loved the song." Vicky belongs to the Guild of International Songwriters and Composers and has entered the contest in the Pop category.

The top prize is a publishing deal. She added: "I think Simon Cowell signed up last year's winner.

"I'd really like to get published and hear my songs on the radio sung by well-known artists."

The results of the contest will be announced at the beginning of August.