THESE four teenage girls are within striking distance of fame and fortune - and all just three months after forming their band.

Featuring Cwmbran schoolgirl Casey Wilcox, Dragonheart was signed by up by a Penarth-based record company for a New Year assault on the British charts, in a bid to share the limelight with Hear'Say and Steps.

But even Casey and fellow band members Vicci Lewis, Niki Fitzgerald and Tara Panayi, of Cardiff, have been kept in the dark about which classic 1960s song they'll be recording - because of a legal wranglings.

Casey, 14, who attends Llantarnam Comp-rehensive School, said: "None of us can believe what's happened in the last few weeks but I am determined to enjoy the experience rather than think about money or stardom."

Dragonheart were spotted as they sang in a Cardiff club promoting their charity single, a version of 1970s classic The Bump. The band has raised £2,000 for the Noah's Ark appeal for a children's hospital for Wales since they released the CD two weeks ago.

The band's pop Svengali, Bill Fitzgerald of Music Wales, said their New Year recording was being talked of as an absolute certain hit. "They've performed at many places and gone down a storm - the record they'll sing after Christmas is being produced by some of the biggest names in the industry and the Spice Girls' former manager is involved," he said.

"It should be a big hit but I haven't been told what it is because the studio hasn't received clearance from the composer."

Casey said: "I am with the New Age Players in Cwmbran and I've loved performing all my life. It's what I've always wanted to do. I'm really enjoying it."

Studio manager Mickey Keen said: "When I saw them perform I knew they had something special."

* In the picture: Casey Wilcox, top, of Dragonheart, with fellow group members, from left, Niki Fitzgerald, Tara Panayi, and Vicci Lewis.