Connie's dream of a hit single

Streetly singing sensation Connie Talbot will release her first single in February, The Express & Star can reveal.

The diminutive star, whose album Over The Rainbow has gone gold, is hoping to hit the top spot with a cover of the Abba classic I Have a Dream.

The video of the single, which shows Connie recording the song flanked by an orchestra, has already had thousands of hits on internet site Youtube.

She has also gathered a worldwide fanbase on her Myspace site.

Connie's agent Ian Sparkes said the new single would be released on February 21. He also said that there were other plans for the youngster which were being kept under wraps.

It is the first single released from Over The Rainbow CD which was produced by The Rainbow Recording Company, who signed her up after Simon Cowell backed out of a deal.

The seven year-old, who attends Blackwood School in Streetly and found fame on the ITV1 show Britain's Got Talent, was presented with her gold disc by presenter Phillip Schofield on the This Morning show in December.

It follows mammoth sales of Over The Rainbow which peaked in the album charts at number 38.

The CD contains the title track which is the song that moved judge Amanda Holden to tears on Britain's Got Talent and earned her praise from notorious Mr Nasty Simon Cowell.

It was originally going to be released as the first single before record bosses decided to release the album first. Just 50,000 copies of Connie's album were originally pressed, but another 120,000 had to be made after they sold out within days.

Little Connie caused a stir when she performed at the Great Bridge Christmas and Winter Festival in December. Crowds were so anxious to get a glimpse of the child star that police had to rescue her "for her own protection".

Plans for Connie to sign autographs had to be abandoned when, immediately after her three-song set, she was whisked away by a group of around eight police officers as the 700-strong crowd surged forward towards the stage in a marquee on Great Bridge High Street car park.

Connie, making the appearance after a day at school, was one of around 40 acts including choirs and amateur singers – plus X Factor finalist Sarah McFarlane – to appear on the stage at the first ever festival.