CLASSICAL singer Ciara Harvie is set to tour Ireland after being chosen to represent Scotland and the North East of England in an international festival.

Ciara, 19, from Longniddry, will take part in the Rose of Tralee Festival, which celebrates Irish culture and heritage, in August.

She was named the Newcastle and Gateshead Rose and will join 66 Roses from around the world as they compete to become one of 32 live finalists to take to the stage in front of a 12million-strong television audience in the hope of being crowned the Rose of Tralee.

The festival which is held in County Kerry, Ireland, has been going since 1959 and is open to any young woman of Irish descent.

Ciara’s mother Val is from Cork and the young singer was delighted to be able to take part in the competition and reach the finals.

Ciara, a former contestant on TV talent show The Voice, said: “I cannot believe I have been named the Newcastle and Gateshead Rose.

“I am very honoured and excited to be taking part.”

The teenager received a boost at the regional final when Game of Thrones actor James Cosmo sent a video message of support to her on social media.

The singer was a surprise guest at the veteran Scottish actor’s 70th birthday party earlier this year when she performed for him, and he was thrilled to give her his backing.

He said: “You made such a special contribution to my birthday party, it was wonderful to hear you sing.

“I hope you have a wonderful time at the competition. The best of luck.”

Each finalist is chosen through competition at their regional Rose Centre, with the Newcastle and Gateshead centre representing Scotland and the North East of England.

Among the candidates to make this year’s festival are Roses from as far afield as Texas, Dubai and Sydney.

Notable Roses from recent years include BBC TV sports presenter Gabby Logan, who was the Leeds Rose in 1991; star of musicals Aoife Mulholland, who represented Galway in 2003; and Noreen Culhane, New York Rose 1970, who is the current executive vice-president of the New York Stock Exchange.

Sheena Greeves, chair of the Newcastle and Gateshead Rose of Tralee Centre, is mentoring Ciara as she prepares for her trip to Ireland.

Sheena said work was now under way to fundraise and find sponsors to ensure Ciara has enough day dresses and accompanying outfits for the 10-day tour she and the other finalists,will embark on in the run-up to the televised final.

She said: “The festival is a celebration of Irish culture. Ciara will be an ambassador for Scotland and the North East of England – it is an exciting opportunity.”

As well as the opportunity to reach the final, Ciara will see her name added to a glass wall of honour and be able to visit any Rose Centre across the world as a member of the exclusive club of Roses.

The final will be shown over two nights on Irish national broadcasting station RTE, with the winner chosen on August 21.