FORMER Beaminster school girl and Indie rock darling Polly Harvey is again in the running for a Brit Award.

Polly, who grew up in Corscombe and now lives part-time in West Bay, is up against four other British female solo artists, including Joss Stone from Devon.

The awards, to be staged in February, recognise the best of British and international pop and rock music.

Its not the first time Polly, or PJ, has been nominated for a Brit. The individual singer-songwriter also picked up a nomination eleven years ago in 1994 (when she performed a duet of the Rolling Stones Satisfaction with Bjork) and again at last years ceremony.

Former music teacher Andrew Dickson recalls working with the young PJ Harvey when she and Bridports other favourite diva Jess Upton (who now has her own soul band) formed the Hat Band, along with Thea Martin and drummer Ben Stephens.

Mr Dickson, who writes music for film and theatre, said: She stood quietly at the back and played saxophone. She was always serious.

Mr Dickson said Polly then went on to join Bologna, a performance band that liked to stage off-the-wall shows with people cooking and juggling and doing circus tricks on stage.

He said: I write music for film and theatre and Bologna was just about writing for fun. We performed in village halls and charity gigs at the arts centre. It was really good fun.

Mr Dickson said even then Polly was always the quiet one at the back playing the saxophone. She also wrote songs for the band and Mr Dickson recalled one she had written about road kill called Dead Things on the Road Again.

He said: I always knew she was a terrific musician and had lots of potential, she took it seriously.

And thats how she has got to where she is today, she has always worked so hard.

Polly then moved to London where it wasnt long before her individual sound and style got her noticed and she officially became a solo artist.

Polly followed her 2002 collection, Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea with 2004s Uh Huh Her, which also won her the nomination for Best British female at last years Brits.

The Brit Awards take place on February 10. To vote for Polly Harvey or any other nominees, visit www.brits.co.uk.

fAndrew Dickson is in the running for an Oscar. He wrote the score to Vera Drake, the new critically acclaimed film by British director Mike Leigh, which stars Imelda Staunton. Producers are hoping the film and its score, along with its leading lady, will be nominated at the end of this month.