THE battle for this year's Christmas number one officially gets underway today - and Suffolk singing sensation Laura Wright is hoping to be top of the tree.

THE battle for this year's Christmas number one officially gets underway today - and Suffolk singing sensation Laura Wright is hoping to be top of the tree.

The 16-year-old Framlingham student is part of classical quartet All Angels, who have released a cover version of Robbie Williams' Angels in aid of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

Last week, the EADT launched a campaign to catapult Laura - along with 17-year-olds Charlotte Ritchie, Melanie Nakhla and Daisy Chute - to the pinnacle of the festive music chart.

The classical crossover group is currently 7/1 second favourites behind Leona Lewis, the winner of this year's TV talent show X-Factor, but they also face tough competition from the recently re-formed Take That and a joint effort from Sir Cliff Richard and Daniel O'Donnell.

However, Laura, a day pupil at Framlingham College's sixth form, is not daunted by the task ahead and said she is just pleased to get the opportunity to help a worthy cause.

She said: “It's really exciting and I know all the other girls are looking forward to it as well. I don't know how it will do but just having a chance to record a top ten single is wicked.

“We'll just have to see what happens but whatever it is something positive will come out of it because all proceeds will go towards the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, which is something we feel very honoured about.

“We could make it into something really big and be quite scared because we have got some tough competition in the X-Factor winner, Take That and Cliff Richard and Daniel O'Donnell but the most important thing is that we really enjoyed making the single.”

Angels is released today and also features a B side including Silent Night and You've Got a Friend.

Laura said: “When we realised that we were going to have a stab at Angels we were all rather daunted because it was, and still is, such a popular song.

“However, after we heard the arrangement we were 100% behind it and I think it has turned out really well.”

Laura, who recently played Cosette in Framlingham College's production of Les Miserables, was chosen to join All Angels after a nationwide search and is currently the BBC Radio 2 Young Chorister of the Year.

Since joining the group her life has been transformed into a whirlwind of live performances in some of the country's most auspicious venues, including St Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, the Albert Hall and the House of Commons.

She added: “We have been really busy lately and I know all the girls are looking forward to Christmas so they can have a bit of time off to spend with their families.

“The level of support we have received is amazing and I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has backed us and to the paper for all its help.”

craig.robinson@eadt.co.uk