A Lewisham schoolgirl has made history as the youngest contestant to win London’s biggest busking competition at just 13 years old.

Young singer Clarissa Mae, from Downham, beat hundreds of others to take the top title after five-months of busking across the capital.

The youngster entered the competition after a push from her music teacher, and said she was surprised to make it through the first round.

She said: “I was very nervous at the start, but I have really grown in confidence and I really enjoy this kind of public performance now and the immediate positive reactions you can get from complete strangers.

“I loved playing in Wembley Park for the crowds round the stadium at the same time a big football match was on, and also the Shepherd’s Bush Westfield gig was amazing thanks to the sound system they had there.”

News Shopper:

Clarissa Mae outside Bonus Pastor Catholic College.

Clarissa busked around 20 times over the summer, before performing in the final in Stratford earlier this month.

The self-taught guitarist has thrived as part of a musical family, having been influenced by her grandfather - trumpeter and saxophonist Rudy Ragrag - and her father’s own band Nugroovz.

Her dad Christopher Ragrag said entering the competition was all about gaining confidence for the year nine Bonus Pastor pupil.

Mr Ragrag said Clarissa had support from all the family, with her younger brother helping out at her busking performances as he encouraged the public to vote for his sister.

When the judges read out Clarissa’s name as the overall Gigs champion, Mr Ragrag said family and friends in the crowd roared with excitement.

He told News Shopper: “Everybody was shouting but I couldn’t say much. I was actually trying to monitor my heartbeat.”

Clarissa too was shocked to realise she had won, adding: “When they announced the winner and said my name, I did not react – it was so unexpected.

“It was only another finalist and friend nudging me that made me realise it was me that was being called onto the stage – and I can hardly remember what happened once I got there – it’s a blur.”