Former child star Charlotte Church is planning to head back to school to obtain a degree in physics.

The Welsh opera singer-turned-pop star has become fascinated by the world of natural science in recent years and now she is seriously considering returning to her studies.

She tells the Bbc, "I want to go and do a degree in physics - I will have to do an A-level (high school qualification) in physics and maths first though.

"I just think it's important to keep the brain active and keep educating yourself. I have an interest in it and I should try to follow it. It's something I've been interested in for the last year or two."

But Church, 28, insists she has no intention of hanging up her microphone to pursue a new career path: "Music is in my veins, so I'm going to have to carry on. It's my lifeblood."

Meanwhile, the singer will be putting her industry experience to good use by helping to find 12 new artists to support in Wales as part of the nation's Horizons music talent scheme, which aims to showcase "the most exciting unsigned acts with the potential to make a real breakthrough in Wales and beyond".

Church will be part of a panel of music industry experts who will select the aspiring stars.