Bognor Regis woman is hoping to have the X-Factor

On Saturday resident Julie Clark will travel to London for the second stage of X Factor auditions.

But Julie will not be travelling alone – she will be taking 23 youngsters along for the ride.

The 42-year-old will be accompanied on her mission to become a star by members of the Mad Acts theatre group from the town’s methodist church.

“All of the kids are really excited. They can’t wait. They are all looking forward to it and it should be a nice day out for them,” Julie said.

She became a youth leader at the church three months ago and is thoroughly enjoying working with the children aged from eight years upwards.

“The children are brilliant. They really enjoy getting involved in the arts and they are busy practising for a performance of Annie, which hopefully we will be able to show at the Alexandra Theatre later this year,” said Julie.

Julie, a singer songwriter, works for Butlin’s in the wardrobe department, and entered the competition as a dare.

She said: “I was in the gym with a friend and I was telling her about a download song I have. She said I was not going to get very far with just one song, so why did I not enter a big competition?

“So I did.”

After getting through the first round of auditions, Julie who until three years ago lived in the glamorous city of Hollywood, famous for its fabulous residents, decided she wanted to make it into a community event.

She said: “I just think it’s important for youngsters to have these sort of experiences. To let them see positive things.

“I would have liked to have asked even more children to come along, but that just was not practical.”

Julie asked Butlin’s if they would sponsor a mini-bus to ferry the group to London – and they agreed.

“I was amazed that Butlin’s said yes straight away. They have also given the children free passes to the resort, which is fantastic.

“Other local businesses have also chipped in and offered funds which we will hopefully use for a bag of chips on the way home,” said Julie.

To impress the judges, the songstress who is a member of the church’s choir, will sing a song she has penned herself – I Want to be Your Angel – and a modern version of the classic ‘Amazing Grace’.

“I am starting to get nervous as the time goes on. While I was organising the mini-bus I had something else to focus on. Now its all about the performance,” said Julie.

The club meets every Fridays from 4.15pm until 6pm and costs £1.