A PROMISING female DJ from Trowbridge made a touching tribute to her father after winning a once-in-a-lifetime chance to open the dance tent at this year's Glastonbury Festival.

Keri Hitchens, 25, from Steeple Ashton, said her remarkable achievement was a fitting tribute to her father, Simon Bull, who died of a heroin overdose at a friend's house in Trowbridge last March.

Virgin Mobile call operator Miss Hitchens, aka Miss Minty, beat off 15 other budding DJs in a competition held at Bristol's Level nightclub on Sunday, securing the chance to show off her talent in front of an estimated 10,000 people in June.

Immediately dedicating her success to her 41-year-old father, a former DJ at the Berkeley Suite on the Longleat estate, Miss Hitchens said: "My dad was always very supportive of what I was doing. I felt he was there with me.

"I had a picture of him and one of his chains in my pocket throughout my set. I wanted to make him so proud.

"He followed my career all the way so this was very important to me.

"I cried my eyes out when I won. It was very emotional. He will be there with me at Glastonbury."

What makes the young mother's success more poignant was the fact that the competition was organised in association with the Government's anti-drugs initiative FRANK.

"My message to people who are taking drugs is just to be aware of what you are experimenting with," Miss Hitchens said.

"A lot of people do not realise how dangerous drugs can be."

Proud mother Anne and partner Ian Addicott, 30, were at the Park Street club on Sunday night to offer their support.

Judges included Malcolm Haynes, who runs the festival's dance tent, Vibe 101's Sally Hudson and Russell Deeks from Idj magazine.

Miss Hitchens said she was bowled over by the chance to open the famous festival.

"I was really nervous but just relaxed when it was my turn to perform.

"I am kind of hoping this is going to turn into a career for me it is what I have always wanted to do.

Miss Hitchens has been offered a part-time DJ tenancy at Level nightclub and the chance to perform a set at the Troubadour Club, in Earls Court, London.