Tooting singer-songwriter Beth Keeping has hit the streets in a bid to be crowned busker of the year.

Ms Keeping, from Tooting Broadway, is competing in Gigs, the country's biggest street music competition.

The contest gives young musicians the opportunity to perform at some of London’s iconic locations including St Paul's Cathedral, Westfield London and Denmark Street.

Ms Keeping, who normally busks on the underground, has competed for the last three years and said she loves the opportunity it gives her to "connect with people through music as they go about their day".

Finalists are selected via a public vote with the Gigs Grand Final taking place on September 4 at Westfield Stratford City, before a panel of industry judges.

Prizes include a licence to busk on London Underground, a busking trip to Paris, recording time at a top professional studio and the opportunity to perform at the PRS for Music VIP tent at Glastonbury.

Ms Keeping, who describes her music as a "mix of R&B rhythms with country storytelling", said: "I've been involved in busking and in the Gigs competition for 3 years now.

"So far in this year's competition I've busked at Westfield in Shepherd's Bush which was great - it was a really sunny afternoon so lots of people stopped to listen and support us.

"Outside the competition, I busk on the underground, I love connecting with people through music as they go about their day."

This year Gigs are teaming up with Sadiq Khan's '#LondonIsOpen' campaign to promote the capitals unity after the EU referendum.

Mr Khan said: “Growing London’s cultural sector is one of my core priorities as Mayor and I’m delighted to see fresh busking talent hitting the streets of the capital this summer.

"It is so important that we support our next generation of stars and Gigs is a great way to entertain Londoners at some of the city’s most iconic locations, bring people together, and to highlight to people across London and the globe that #LondonIsOpen.”

You can vote for contestants at http://buskinlondon.com/gigs/find