Britney Spears lookalike Amy Sycamore is carving out a new career impersonating her favourite chart-topping singer.

Amy gave up a geography course at Bath University to try to break into showbusiness but is carrying on her studies with the Open University.

Now she has been signed up by an agency to perform Britney hits and to attend corporate events and parties.

Amy, 21, of Broadfield, Crawley, was spotted at a lookalikes contest which coincided with switching on the Christmas lights at The Belfrey shopping centre in Redhill.

She jumped on the stage and sang the Britney hit single Baby One More Time without any accompaniment.

Although she didn't win the competition, the judges were so impressed they gave her a special prize of a Britney makeover and arranged for her to record Baby One More Time.

One of the judges, Lookalikes Agency boss Andrew Hurley, went to the recording session at Radio Mercury studios in Crawley on Wednesday.

Afterwards he said he was so impressed with her performance he was putting her on his books.

She joins two other Britney lookalikes but Mr Hurley said she was the best of the three.

Amy, who works in the Upper Crust bakery at Gatwick airport's south terminal, says she hopes her new role will turn into a full-time job.

She said: "I entered the competition because several people told me I looked like Britney and I'm interested in a singing career.

"I didn't think I would get anywhere when I saw the others who were there.

"I like many of Britney's songs. She is a good role model for teenage girls.

"But it's my main ambition to be a singer in my own right."

Amy was given a professional makeover before recording her CD, copying Britney's layered and highlighted hair.

She will now use her CD to help her get work as a tribute singer.

Amy said: "I have always sung, mostly to myself or friends and family.

"I was in a school choir and church choir when I was younger.

"Before people started telling me I looked like Britney I never thought about it but now I can see the resemblance.

"People I work with have called me Britney quite a few times too."

Asked if she would adopt Britney's stance on no sex before marriage, Amy said: "No comment".

Lookalikes can be contacted on 0208 6148088.