CHARLOTTE CHURCH - CHURCH LOOKS FORWARD TO BUYING ALCOHOL

CHARLOTTE CHURCH was delighted to finally turn 18 yesterday (21FEB04) - because now she can buy alcohol in her home city's clubs.

The Welsh superstar is looking forward to finally being able to purchase alcohol in bars in Cardiff after years of being denied booze thanks to her celebrity status.

Church says, "Everyone in Cardiff knows my age, so the great thing about turning 18 is that I'll be able to go out on a Friday night and join my friends in bars and clubs.

"That'll make a change from watching them all go in and then being told by the door staff to 'Go away and come back when you're 18'."

Something else Church has to look forward to is total control of the $30.4 million (GBP16 million) she has earned so far in her singing career. However, steps have been taken to prevent her going on wild shopping sprees.

Church's mum MARIA, 38, explains, "The trust set up for her has done an amazing job and they will continue to advise her.

"Charlotte's allowance has slightly increased and she'll get her first credit card, but she won't be able to go mad.

"She'll get GBP12,000 ($22,800)-a-year pocket money and thinks that's more than enough."

The VOICE OF AN ANGEL plans on adopting a sensible approach with her money. She says, "I had the choice to dismantle the trust and have all money, but I thought there's no point.

"Basically they just gave me a little more cash to buy clothes and I'm a happy bunny."