REMEMBER young Makayla Thomas from Cinderford who was appealing for your votes through the Review two weeks ago?

Well the talented 10-year-old has done the Forest proud and become the winner of Face of Talent Fest UK 2014.

The Littledean School pupil received a lot of support and attended the finals in Blackpool Winter Gardens facing competition from hundreds of people from all over the UK.

Already under pressure to do well in her sections of the competition, Makayla had to do it in front of many well-known faces including Britain's Got Talent finalists Charlotte Jaconelli and Flawless, Got to Dance star Turbo and the Mayor of Blackpool Val Haynes.

Makayla from the votes made it into the top three for the final, and then was chosen by judges on the day as the winner of Face of Talent Fest UK 2014. She will now go for a photoshoot in Kent, where then they will use one of the pictures to represent Talent Fest 2015 next year on billboards, internet, leaflets etc. Her award was presented by The Only Way is Essex star, Joey Essex.

Makayla also had to dance with all the juniors who got through to the freestyle category from all regions nonstop to three random songs, while judges Maggie Patterson principal and creative director of Pineapple Performing Arts School in London, Bounce from Flawless and Colin Maxwell, chairperson for the Northern Ireland Dance Freestyle of the Association of Dance.

Freestyle Professional (ADFP) judged them on their ability and performance.

Makayla was chosen as the winner of the junior freestyle overall UK winner 2014. Her prize is a five-day scholarship at Pineapple Dance Studio in London then to perform in a West End show next summer.

Mum, Stacey said: "Makayla's dad and I are really proud of her and what she has achieved as she is only 10. We all had a fantastic time at Winter Gardens. Makayla was amazing, she has a bright future ahead of her in her career path, thank you to everyone who has supported Makayla and continues to do so."