AN opera singer has returned to her home town to receive a special honour.

Hanna-Liisa Kirchin visited Lunts Heath Primary School in Widnes where she was a pupil from 1992 to 1999.

The mezzo soprano remembers performing in shows and being cast as the cat in a nativity play, a role she loved because she was able to sing a great song.

Head boy Ahmed Aleid and head girl Jamine Kapoor enrolled her in the school’s hall of fame.

Hanna developed her passion for music at Fairfield High School where she joined choirs, orchestras and ensembles.

The gifted singer who also plays the piano visited Venice and China on choir tours.

At 16, she started private singing lessons with Janet Whittingham and says she was the most inspirational teacher she could have ever met helping her to develop a love for classical music.

Hanna studied at the Royal Northern College of Music for seven years and gained a Bachelor of Music with first class honours, a masters with distinction and a post graduate diploma.

She performed in 15 operas and won a major competition in her final year.

In 2013 she moved to London where she started working with her singing teacher, training on a part time course with English National Opera.

A year later she earned a big break becoming one of 12 young artists at the National Opera Studio, where she worked intensely for a year before starting a professional career.

Hanna has worked in both the UK and across Europe.

After making her professional and international debut in Holland with Dutch National Opera, she performed in Munich and has sung with some of the best festival opera companies in the UK.

After completing a three month contract in Holland with a touring company, she recently returned to London for concerts and further auditions.

Hanna enjoys travelling, playing the piano, reading, and watching films and documentaries on TV.