A former Swindon schoolgirl is celebrating the release of her latest blues album.

Rachael Pennell, 29, says her new CD, Bare 'n' Blue, is perfect for a romantic night in or to chill out on a Sunday.

It comes hot on the heels of her appearance at the Swindon Jazz Festival last month.

And judging by her performance there, the CD should sell well in her home town.

The former Kingsdown School pupil said: "The album is very intimate and seductive, and a little bit sexy.

"It's a collection of standards and some lesser known gems. It is Bare 'n' Blue in its musical style and type of song.

"A lot of the tracks are piano and vocal, or piano, vocal and bass. There are a couple of more gritty numbers in there too."

A lifelong fan of song and dance, Rachael had her first taste of showbiz in a school play.

"I played Dorothy in the school play when I was five and apparently knew everyone's lines," she said.

"I always wanted to act and I pictured myself leaning on the piano in a smoky joint in a slinky dress saying 'play it again Sam'.

"I can't ever remember wanting to do anything else. I studied dance from the age of eight and regularly competed in the Swindon Drama Festival."

Rachael, who now lives in London, said her musical career came about by accident after she moved to Nottingham with her family in 1989.

"I began to sing with a band there and gradually started getting bookings for functions," she explained.

Bare 'n' Blue is available from Avid Records through stores or mail order, and costs £11.99.