A POP star wannabe is suing a Fame-style performing academy she claims lured her with empty promises of high-quality tuition.

Veronica Kirby, 22, is suing the Christine Holmes Academy of Performing and Recording Arts for £29,643 in lost earnings and course fees. Miss Kirby paid £8,875 for what she believed was a one-year singing diploma course, with international teachers, a recognised qualification and one-to-one tuition.

Mrs Holmes had a glittering career in light entertainment before she set up the school, including writing the lyrics for Cliff Richard's hit Devil Woman.

The school, set in a spectacular Westmorland house in Maudes Meaburn, near Penrith, was launched in 2000.

Miss Kirby's barrister, Dr Paul McCormick, listed the course's alleged failings at Lancaster County Court, including: l No printed syllabus, curriculum or lesson plans.

l Masterclasses attended by novices.

l No sheet music being provided.

l A diploma that was "the word diploma' on a piece of paper".

l Singing lessons that were simply hours of warm-ups.

Under cross-examination by defence barrister Michael James, Miss Kirby told the court Mrs Holmes's practical advice included "lose more weight" and "wear more make-up". She said Mrs Holmes reacted aggressively when she said she was leaving after six weeks. "She called me a loser and got very, very angry. I wanted to leave and she tried to stop me and ran after me shouting."

Miss Kirby's former classmate, Alex Watson, told the court: "I remember asking questions in class, to be asked: Are you on your period?'." She said the drama teacher she had respected, George Roman, was replaced by a local magician.

Under cross-examination, Mrs Holmes said the school did not have a regular syllabus or written lesson plans because it was an "organic" course made "unique" by its responses to the needs of the individual. However, after questioning by the judge, His Honour Judge Mahon, she clarified that many schools responded to individuals' needs. However, she refused to accept suggestions the school was "a chaotic shambles".

Mrs Holmes, who has 40 years in show business, said she told all the students that the diploma was not accredited.

The court heard nine of the 12 new students who joined in September 2000 had left by the end of the third term.