A TALENTED singer has been picked to sing for the Queen as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Jessica Smith, 12, has been chosen from hundreds of hopefuls to sing in a thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral.

The Southend Girls’ Choir member will sing in the unique Diamond Choir of just 40 children on June 5. The event will be televised to millions The Diamond Choir, organised by the cathedral, is made up of children from across the country, selected from more than 400 youngsters hoping to take part.

All those selected are aged from ten to 13, and sing regularly in church, school and community choirs. Jessica, a pupil of Southend High School for Girls, went to St Edmundsbury Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, for her audition.

She said: “I am really excited to be able to sing for the Queen at St Paul’s Cathedral. It will be a great experience, and an opportunity to sing with children from all over the country.”

Jessica’s mum, Hiranthi Fernando, added: “To be invited by Buckingham Palace to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in this way is a great honour and privilege for us both.

“We’re both so excited. It’ll be a great few days. She’s learning the song now, but that weekend will be the first time they have performed together.

“Thanks to the Southend Girls’ Choir, Jessica is able to sing a variety of music and perform in prestigious venues. I am also grateful to Liz Elliot, singing teacher at Southend High School for Girls, who prepared Jessica for her audition.”

The choir will sing a specially-composed anthem by Will Todd called the Call of Wisdom, alongside the Choristers of St Paul’s Cathedral Choir and the boys of the Chapel Royal.