A PART-TIME singer and Redditch hospital worker says she was overwhelmed by the reaction after deciding to turn the minute's applause for the NHS into an hour-long street gig.

Melissa Butler, a medical secretary at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch, is a regular singer on the local pubs and clubs circuit.

But the 36-year-old has seen that outlet for her talents dry up with venues being forced to close down during the coronavirus pandemic.

So, spurred on by husband Adrian, she decided to sing outside her house in Wildmoor Lane, Catshill, on Thursday evening, prior to, and after, the 8pm 'Clap for the NHS'.

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Residents came out in their scores to watch or listen to her belt out classics like Michael Jackson's Man In The Mirror, Bonnie Tyler's I Need A Hero and Lewis Capaldi's Someone You Loved.

Melissa said: "I was only going to do a couple of songs but the street was packed, although people were still maintaining social distancing, so I ended up singing for more than 45 minutes.

Redditch Advertiser: Melissa Butler.Melissa Butler.

"On Friday morning I was bombarded with emails and messages from people saying that they had loved it, that they had heard it in their gardens and homes.

"It was lovely to see the community come together and people on Wildmoor Lane do the clap really well each week anyway.

"I found it really emotional - I was buzzing all night and could hardly sleep."

Almost 100 neighbours came out to witness the impromptu gig - and the video of the performance has had more than 10,000 views on her Facebook page.

Melissa, whose stage name is Mitzy, began singing when she 16 and worked on cruise ships but scaled back after becoming a mum to Ollie, 7, and Jamie, 4.

However, she began performing again around three years ago and says she has missed singing live at weekends since the lockdown restrictions came into force.

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She added: ""It was very nerve-wracking to go out there - I didn't know whether people would stay out to watch.

"But I had wanted to do something different. Working at a hospital, you see the staff working so hard and it makes you really proud to work for the NHS.

"I've been out every week clapping with the kids but I wanted to give something extra, and my husband said 'why don't you go out there and perform?'

"Everyone was dancing in the street and seemed to be having a really good time."

So will there be an encore?

"People have asked me to do it every week," Melissa revealed. "And our next door neighbour is a guitarist so he might join in."