IF YOU ignore the time she had her laptop stolen and saw her top-secret song demos splashed across the Internet, singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield has had a pretty good year.

She started off by exploding on to the music scene in May with her debut single, the aptly-titled Single.

When it entered the charts at number three she had her first taste of fame and the UK record-buying public instantly warmed to the sister of established artist Daniel Bedingfield.

She then followed up the success by forcing her way to number one with the catchy sequel, These Words, which was released in August and written for her brother.

Not content with having two top three singles under her belt in the space of just three months, Natasha released her debut album, Unwritten, to great acclaim in September.

This album is already platinum-selling and has gained her the prestigious tag of being one of only three British female artists to debut at number one with their first album.

Rather more unusually, 2004 has also seen Natasha earn a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as one half of the only brother and sister team to have solo number ones in UK chart history.

So, after that much success, it's little surprise that Natasha's planned mini-tour has mushroomed into a full-blown UK tour, Unwritten, which brings her to Southampton Guildhall next year.

"I'm truly overwhelmed by the response I've had to my upcoming UK tour," says the British newcomer.

"I'm really excited that this tour is now going to be bigger, giving me the chance to play in more cities in the UK."

Natasha will be appearing at Southampton Guildhall on February 25.

Tickets cost £15. For more information, call the box office on 023 8063 2601.

For more on Natasha Bedingfield go to her official website: www.natashabedingfield.com