Marteen McCloat on stage at the Opera House for the Jazz Factor

A TALENTED mother-of-two has managed to juggle her full time job as a company administrator to win the top prize in a singing competition.

Marteen McCloat, who now lives in St Ouen after moving to the Island 14 years ago, only started singing on her 40th birthday in May.

But that didn’t stop her winning the Jazz Factor competition last month at the Jersey Opera House.

Mrs McCloat beat three other hopefuls to win a trip to London and a £200 voucher to spend at legendary London jazz club Ronnie Scott’s.

She beat Rem Floris, Adam Fowler and Wilm Mattioli at the final at the Opera House, held in aid of Jersey Hospice and the Women’s Refuge. Mrs McCloat is the wife of Joe and mother of Aaron (6) and Dylan (4).

She had previously taken part in singing competitions in her home country of Ireland when she was a youngster, but had not performed in front of people until her 40th birthday party.

Mrs McCloat said that she had been practising with jazz musician Gary Lloyd since then, before developing her repertoire for the competition. Her two songs were Orange Coloured Sky and Cry Me A River.

She said: ‘It was fantastic, but winning wasn’t the great goal. The big thing was just being part of it.’

The singer was accompanied by a 20-piece orchestra in the final. Describing that experience, she said: ‘The orchestra were just so skilled, and to be the voice in the middle of it all is a memory that will stay with me for ever.’

Her plans include singing where she can and a possible gig at the Savoy Hotel in Rouge Bouillon.

The competition raised £6,000 for Jersey Hospice Care and Jersey Women’s Refuge and was supported by the Well Swung Jazz Orchestra. The judges were Rebecca Day, Mark Labey and Peter Mac.