SEVENTEEN-year-old Pembrokeshire College student, Rebecca Bradley, is creating a storm with her energetic hip hop performances.

In the first year of the Extended Diploma in Sport, Rebecca is already through to the semi-finals of the Welsh Factor (Wales' very own version of the hugely successful X Factor) and is planning on dancing her way to the finals with a dance routine set to Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'.

Being part of the biggest talent competition in South Wales is a huge achievement for Rebecca who has had no formal training and only started dancing when she was 14. Practising in her bedroom, Rebecca's first taste of success came when she won first place in a talent competition at Pembroke School. Practising in her bedroom, she only entered the competition so her mum and dad could see her dance.

Rebecca commented: "I was watching Britain's Got Talent and saw George Samson dancing. He was my inspiration to start. I have a bad back and seeing George do all those dance moves with a bad back made me think that I could do it too. When practising, I don't create set routines. If you have a routine you have to concentrate and I think that that affects your performance, so I prefer to improvise. I'm really looking forward to taking part in the semis and it would be great to get through to the finals."

Sponsored by Music Wales Ltd, the Welsh Factor was launched in September 2009 and is now the largest talent competition in South Wales -supported by Wales' leading entertainment agencies.

Judges for each stage of the competition range from record producers to dance teachers and show producers to professionals in the world of television and radio.

Rebecca has already had a taste of fame and is hungry for more after dancing in front of 2,800 people at Butlins in Minehead alongside George Samson when she was just 15. Competing alongside mainly singers, Rebecca's act is sure to stand out and get the judges hopping along!