A young singer and songwriter is urging the public to help her follow her “musical journey”.

Musician Mary Senganda, of Hutton Lane, Harrow Weald, is hoping to beat off hundreds of other young Londoners to be crowned busker of the year in the Gigs street music competition.

Gigs is the Mayor of London's annual search for the capital's best young musicians, which aims to give them the opportunity to perform at landmark locations around the capital and gain valuable experience of playing in public.

Competitors are also on with the chance to compete for a host of music prizes, including a licence to busk on London Underground, a busking trip to Paris and recording time at a top professional studio.

Mary, now 18, has been playing guitar since she was just eight-years-old but says her music career properly began at 15 when she played her first performance at Hatch End Arts Centre.

She said: “At 15, it really took off and I started gigging on my own properly.

“When I was younger I just sat along in my bedroom and jammed to myself but then I went out and got myself somewhere to perform.”

After taking on a number of regular gigs, she began writing her own music about one year ago.

She said: “I was playing a lot of gigs but wasn’t really getting anywhere as people kept asking for my own material.

“You can’t really make a career in music by playing covers for the rest of your life.”

The budding songwriter has just finished studying at Whitmore Sixth Form, where she sat A-levels in law, sociology and psychology.

Currently taking a gap year, she hopes to attend Birmingham University to study law next year but for now has her heart, mind and voice set firmly on taking home the top prize from the competition.

She said: “It would be absolutely amazing to make it through to the final or win, and would really encourage me to pursue a career in music and help me have the confidence to try to break into the tough industry.

“I’ve had the opportunity to play some extraordinary locations some of which I’ve never anticipated playing like Trafalgar Square and both Westfield Shopping Centres.

“The reception I get from the crowds is overwhelming.”

Miss Senganda starred in her own music video, which was filmed on Monday and has now been sent to an expert panel of judges who will pick a winner from each of the three categories: soloists and duos, youth aged 11 to 15, and groups.

Members of the public can also select a winner, with the public vote open until the end of October before the final on September 6.

Speaking to her fans, she said: “Please make sure you vote for my for the Gigs competition – it could be the start of my musical journey.”

Mary is currently working on her debut ep, which is due to be released in August, and is also competing to take the busker of the year crown.

To vote, visit: london.gov.uk/gigs and search for her name.