Cornish singer songwriter Alex Parks has returned home for a break before flying to the US to work on her second album. Katie Dawson reports

For Alex Parks, a well-earned break at home is just what is needed before jetting back to Los Angeles to continue working on her new album.

She may be out of the public eye at the moment but, behind the scenes, the singer from Mount Hawke, near Truro, is working hard to get the album ready to be released in November.

This week, the BBC Fame Academy winner - who turned 20 on Monday - took some time out to relax with her friends and family in Cornwall.

She will return to Los Angeles sometime in the next few weeks to continue working with top singer-songwriters.

On Monday, Alex celebrated her birthday with a private party at her favourite haunt, the Driftwood in St Agnes.

Her father, Stephen Parks, said: "It's been lovely to have her back. She's been out and about with her friends quite a bit and has had a really good time."

Alex returned from her first trip to America in April where she worked with top songwriters such as Diane Warren and Sinead O'Connor.

She has also been to Sweden, where she worked with Marcella Detroit of the Shakespear's Sister, and has written with Peter Vitesse, who frequently collaborates with Annie Lennox.

Her new album features original songs that have been penned by her with the help of top writers in the music industry.

Alex admits that the album is "very different" from what she has done before.

She said: "It's more me. It's hard to put it in a genre. It's not indie, it's not rock, it's not folk but it has a folk essence, a slight Celtic feel."

Mr Parks agreed: "It is 100 per cent her own stuff and is not really one particular genre. She's played us some of the demo tracks and they're really great. They're different. I think people will be really surprised."