When Lesley Garrett walks on at the Royal Opera House this month, she'll have all the trappings of international stardom. Not so Soname Yangchen.

She will step into the same spotlight fresh from a Mrs Mop role - her cleaning job at Brighton police station.

Their backgrounds are worlds apart but the pair are coming together in support of Soname's homeland, Tibet.

They will perform in the sumptuous surroundings of the Vilar Floral Hall at the Royal Opera House in the presence of the Prince of Wales. Proceeds from the evening will go to the Tibet Relief Fund.

The fact that Soname is there at all is extraordinary.

At 15, she escaped the brutal Chinese administration occupying her native Tibet and, after a perilous six-week journey over treacherous mountains, reached Dharamsala in Northern India, home of the Dalai Lama.

She said: "We slept by day and walked at night so we would not be seen.

"The experience left me nearly dead. My legs were paralysed and I still have scars on my feet."

Eventually, after six years in India, she came to England via France and settled in Brighton, marrying old friend Michael Windsor.

Although she had been brought up in a musical household, she began her singing career by chance in 1997.

"I was at a wedding in a lovely church. It was very quiet so I asked if I could sing something.

"I did and they asked me to sing another and another. Then more and more people asked if I could sing for them."

Soname, 29, sings contemporary Tibetan mountain songs, usually a capella.

The lyrics reflect the tragedy of her country and her own life - the family she has not seen for 13 years, particularly her mother, and the daughter who was taken from her.

After years of not knowing whether her family were dead or alive, she made contact six months ago.

"I had sent letters for years, never knowing if they got them. Then I managed to reach them by phone. I spoke to my sister for four hours.

"The telephone bill was £700 but it was worth it. They knew I was alive but didn't know where I was."

Soname has sung all over Sussex and London and writes her own material. She has made two CDs, Turquoise One and Unforgettable Land.

To finance her blossoming career, she has to work in a rather less glamorous field.

"I could not have an education in Tibet so I have a cleaning job.

"I work from 5am to 10am cleaning the police station. I get up at 4am and use the time to pray and meditate and practice. I pray and chant when I am cleaning too."

The moving lyrics and un-familiar, haunting tones of Soname's powerful voice have reduced people to tears.

They have also won her many fans, including actress Joanna Lumley.

"She is interested in Tibet and invited me to sing at her house in London last month. I didn't know who she was but we are friends now."

Although being invited to perform in front of royalty at the Royal Opera House might be considered the pinnacle of some singers' careers, Soname takes it in her stride.

She said: "I don't feel anything special about it. I am glad to be doing something to help Tibet."

Somane hopes one day to get British citizenship and to be allowed to return to her homeland and be reunited with her daughter Tenzin, now 12.

"Even if I had a million pounds, without prayer or helping other people it would be meaningless.

"My heart is still in Tibet and when it is free I will go back and help in whatever way I can."

All the same, she is hoping her appearance at the Royal Opera House will catch the attention of a record company.

Soname is appearing at the Komedia on Thursday as part of its world music series.

An Evening For Tibet with Soname, Lesley Garrett and Royal Ballet principal Zenaida Yanowsky is at the Vilar Floral Hall, Royal Opera House, London, on Sunday, November 23. Tickets are £130.

For more information, email christopher@tibetsociety.com or call 0207 272 1414.