A TALENTED young musician brought thousands of smiles to American faces when she flew the British flag in a Thanksgiving Day parade.

Lyndsay Hooson, of Chatham Avenue, Bromley, flew to Philadelphia to perform with The Alexis I Dupont High School band in America's oldest Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The 16-year-old took part in the event after beating dozens of young hopefuls to win The New Year's Day Parade's Young Musician competition.

As part of her prize, the youngster, who attends Langley Park School, in Hawksbrook Lane, Beckenham, performed before huge crowds on the streets and a live TV audience.

The band will now join Lyndsay in London to perform in The New Year's Day Parade.

Lyndsay, who plays the French Horn and is a member of the Belvedere Concert Band, has also performed with the Royal Artillery Band.

She said: “I am in a dream. I have been to the New Year's Day Parade every year for the past eight years and I've always wanted to be in it.

“As for the chance to go to America to play there too, it was unbelievable. I have made so many new friends and I can't wait to welcome them to London.”

More than one million people are expected on the streets of central London on January 1 to celebrate the new year.