A SCHOOL boy has proved once and for all that Wanstead and Woodford has talent, as he blows TV judges away with his powerful voice.

James Anderson may look like an unassuming ten-year-old, but his "adult-sounding singing voice" got him a standing ovation at the London's Hammersmith Apollo, plus buckets of praise from the toughest talent touts in the land.

Singing in front of a baying mob of 3,000 people is enough to turn even the most experienced performer's stomach, but Master James, of Oakdale Junior School, has made his classmates proud by bravely representing South Woodford on ITV's Britain's Got Talent.

The youngster sang for the audience and judges Amanda Holden, Piers Morgan and Simon Cowell, alongside weird and wonderful performers of every kind, in a bid to impress in the popular talent show - hosted by TV duo Ant and Dec.

James said: "I walked onto the stage and the judges started to talk to me a little bit. Afterwards I began to sing.

"Simon stopped me before I had reached the end of my song. Amanda stood up and gave me a standing ovation and so did everyone who was in the audience.

"Everyone was clapping, cheering whistling. I think they must have enjoyed it. I was amazed."

James was put through to the next stage of the competition by all three judges, with Amanda gushing: "I think you're going all the way," and Piers adding: "I'm so glad that Britain is producing such excellent talent."

The formidable Mr Cowell was characteristically more reserved, but could not hide his obvious amazement, saying: "James, I'm going to speak to you like a man. That song was a bit too big for you, but with a little more help you will be great."

His proud mum Cyrine Anderson said: "He just has a natural talent and a really powerful adult-sounding singing voice.

"He's always entertaining to the point where we're telling him to be quiet.

"We're hoping we're going to see him on the TV programme but there's no guarantee."

Out of thousands of people who auditioned James made it through to the final 300, but was disappointed not to reach the live semi-final.

He added: "I've had such a great experience meeting the judges and Ant and Dec, but I was so upset when I didn't get through.

"I'm going to be doing this all over again next year."