WYE Valley singer, Debbie Clarke, who has been described as the next 'Enya,' has just signed a five album deal with Warner Music International after what she herself describes as a "long slog" – from the age of nine to 27 to be precise.

Debbie, from Welsh Newton near Ross-on-Wye, has been singing since she was nine. Now 27, she recalls the moment when her parents suddenly realised she had talent.

"It's quite a funny story. My mum and dad, Mike and Bridget, really didn't know I could sing. I was cast as narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. They arrived to pick me up when the whole congregation was coming out. They came up to dad and said: "How did you know?" Dad had no idea. But from that point on they committed their whole life to this.

They've re-mortgaged their house and put their lives on hold to help me to this point. Sacrificed everything. The sacrifices have been so great. It has been a really long slog to get to where we are now. If you asked me at the age of nine what I wanted to be, I'd have said a recording artist, but I do feel lucky even after such a long time because there is a lot of talent out there working hard, but who never make it. I remind myself of that all the time. It's important to remember that."

Debbie first studied at Hereford Cathedral School and then went on to the Royal Academy of Music in London for four years.

She has entered competitions across the country and was one of the youngest finalists in the Young Welsh Singer of the Year 2006.

But breaks are hard to come by. Then it happened. Singing at a local party, Debbie was introduced to Herefordshire business couple, Lyn and Judy Booth. So impressed by her voice, the couple agreed to help sponsor her and together worked to get some of her tracks, including Bird on a Wire, played on BBC Radio 2.

At the same time Debbie bombarded legendary producer Tony Visconti – he produced David Bowie and T Rex, the Moody Blues and Thin Lizzy, and is the former husband of Welsh singing sensation Mary Hopkin – with emails urging him to listen to her. Finally he agreed to listen to one track.

"He came back to say: 'You have one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard'," says Debbie.

"We've been working together now for two years and, I think, have become friends. I write the words, I am the lyricist, be he will be doing the production and musical arrangements."

Early recordings have taken place in Cardiff, but the main recordings will be in New York, where Visconti lives. It will be only the second time Debbie has been abroad. "Quite daunting," she says, a trifle nervously. The first album is likely to be released next spring. "In May I think," says Debbie.

As for the 'Enya' comment – "My voice has some similarities," says Debbie. "There is a Celtic lilt to it. I am from border country after all."