The 18-year-old from Standburn wowed judges with her version of the Blondie classic only after her mum Lynn had persuaded her to take part in the contest.

"To be honest it's really down to my mum, as it was her that pushed me into entering the competition and she was the one that sent the CD," she said.

"A lot of the older musical tastes like Blondie and Madonna comes from her and my older sister – so I suppose she has been an influence on me as well.

"I love singing Blondie," she added. "She is one the greatest ever artists and for me to do it performing her song made it even more special."

The former Braes High pupil emerged the victor after a thrilling final and a tense sing-off at City Nightclub.

Robyn and second-placed Ross Miller took to the stage for a second time, after the judges dramatically decided they needed to see the pair perform again.

"When Ross had performed and they read out my name it was amazing," said Robyn.

"I was really surprised as I didn't think I would get placed after the comments from some of the judges, but I knew I had to give it all I had as I knew I might be in with a chance of winning.

"I really enjoyed performing the first-time but when I was asked to do it the second time I was really nervous.

"It was really great though. It was one of my best nights I have had a in a long time and I am still shocked that I won – it definitely hasn't sunk in yet!"

Robyn was presented with a £500 first prize – which she plans to spend on repaying a holiday and on some shopping –and the chance to record a three track CD and music video

And, despite the nerves, the Forth Valley College student insisted that she would be giving a singing career her best shot.

"I have done some competitions before and started doing gigs in the past year and had a bit of success so whether it's going to be full-time or part-time I will definitely not be letting this go," she said.


SPONSORED by the Mall Howgate, The Falkirk Herald Voice of 2009 competition, which is now in its third year, was narrowed down to the 10 hopefuls after weeks of voting by phone, text or coupon.

The finalists – Leigh Shade, Georgina McKenzie, Paul Meikleham, Robyn McLean, Susan Donaldson, Helen Aiken, Ross Miller, Alana McLernon, Matt Friel and Lindsay Bauchop – each performed one hit, before being subjected to the scrutiny of judges.

The panel was made up of Chris Judge, who runs VoiceJam vocal coaching and is one of the event sponsors, actor and singer Tom Urie, singer Tracey Braithwaite and John Maclean, DJ at City, another of the event sponsors

During a fantastic night of entertainment, band Dignan, Dowell & White kept the crowd on their feet during the breaks, while last year's winner Rachel Higgins made a welcome return to the stage to show off her vocal talent.

And Robyn was not the only one to walk away with prizes.

After an uplifting performance of 'Run' by Snow Patrol, Ross Miller, of Stenhousemuir, took the runners-up spot, scooping £200 in cash and vouchers and a deal to record a two-track CD.

In third place was Grangemouth's Alana McLernon, who walked away with £100 in cash and vouchers, plus a one track CD recording, after rocking the venue out with AC/DC's 'Highway to Hell'.