AN OTLEY teenager is inviting people to help Save the Children this Christmas - by buying her song.

Seventeen year old Emeli Mumford wrote Dear Santa specifically for the charity, which has officially endorsed the single.

Emeli also produced the song, led a large chorus of local children who appear on it, and raised the production funds by busking and crowdfunding.

Since releasing on December 1 Dear Santa (featuring the Dear Santa Choir) has featured on a number of TV and radio shows.

Emeli and her 37-strong chorus, meanwhile, have also been performing it live at several festive events - including Otley’s Christmas lights switch-on - with more to come.

The single costs 99p and is available now from most major online music platforms including Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music, Google Play music, iTunes and Apple Music.

A seasoned performer who has reached the finals of a number of major talent shows, Emeli said: “I chose Save the Children as I feel emotionally connected to the charity after watching their TV advertisements.

“I really support what they do - they focus their work on helping children in both developing countries such as Africa, Syria and Yemen and also all over, including the UK. The Dear Santa Project felt like a way to connect all my favourite things and give back.”

A music video for Dear Santa can be viewed on Emeli’s Youtube channel at https://bit.ly/2G1gCWl .