A schoolgirl hopes to follow the route which propelled the Spice Girls to superstardom after winning the lead role in a new teen pop group.

Chloe du Pre, from Seaford, fended off competition from hundreds of young hopefuls to be selected for BNG, which are due to launch their first single, Jump Out, this month.

The 14-year-old answered an advert in The Stage magazine seeking youngsters who could sing and dance - the same way the Spice Girls were formed.

After sending a demo tape and attending auditions around the country, Chloe was selected and got ready to follow in the footsteps of Posh, Sporty, Scary, Ginger, and Baby.

Chloe, who uses the stage name du Pre but whose real surname is Goffin, said: "I couldn't believe it when I was chosen, so many people applied.

"It's really exciting. Our first single's great and we've even got a video. It's always been my dream to be a pop star.

"I'm the main vocalist and I love singing. I also play the piano and cello. Between us I think the group has a real talent for writing hits."

BNG stands for Boys 'n' Girls and has two other female members: Nicki McHugo, 15, from Winchester, and Natalie Jen Gee, ten, from Milton Keynes.

Rapper Theo Kerlin, aka Lil' TK, is 13 and from South London.

The four have been practising for hitting the big time by going on a mini-tour of schools in Essex, Slough and London.

Chloe, who describes the group's music as "R'n'B pop", plans to play piano and cello on the next single.

She has previously performed in amateur productions of Annie, The Wiz and Bugsy and made a TV appearance on Children In Need.

In 2001, she won the Sussex Search For A Star, beating 11 other finalists and scooping £400 prize money with renditions of Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered from the musical Pal Joey and Judy Garland's Johnny One Note.

Chloe, who attends Seaford Head Community College, would prefer a career on the stage rather than in the charts.

Her favourite singers are Barbra Streisand and Pop Idol winner Will Young and she wants to sing with a big band or have a career in musical theatre.

Frank Perri, the group's manager, said: "BNG certainly deserve to make it big. They are exceptionally gifted and more credible than many bands.

"They have control over the dance routines and what they wear and have modified the rap lyrics.

"Chloe especially has a star quality. I would say she is more talented and a better vocalist than most of the contestants on shows such as Pop Idol or Pop Stars. She'll go all the way - so keep an eye on her."

BNG are due to release Jump Out through Ghost Records on March 24.