Amy Winehouse has officially launched her own imprint today - Lioness Records.

The 26-year-old singer is said to have been inspired by Berry Gordy's legendary Motown Records and The Specials' 2Tone label and wanted to start her own imprint so she could work closely with a small number of artists.

Lioness Records is part of the Island Records family and has named 13-year-old Londoner Dionne Bromfield as its first signing.

Winehouse said of Bromfield: “The first time I heard Dionne sing, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing... such an amazing voice from such a young girl. I’m just so proud of her. I’m very lucky to have a record label. I’ve got all these people that I love, that are really talented – and Dionne is my number one”.

Dionne Bromfield is Winehouse's goddaughter and will release her debut album 'Introducing Dionne Bromfield' through the label.

Explaining how she came up with the name Lioness Records, Winehouse said: “My nan was like my best friend. She was the sweetest, strongest, most amazing person I’ve ever met and when I was thinking of what to call the label I picked up the necklace and knew straight away that I’d call it Lioness, in honour of Cynthia.”

(by Scott Colothan)