[Red Moon]

Lancashire X factor favourite survives Big Band night

Lancashire X-factor favourite Diana Vickers has won her way through to the next round of the live finals.

The 17-year-old singer, from Accrington, Lancashire, drew effusive comments from the judges on Saturday following her rendition of swing classic Smile - while perched on an actual swing.

Wearing a shimmering white dress with matching beret, the Lancashire lass, who had been a bundle of nerves, pulled off an ethereal performance in her trademark bare feet.

All the judges praised the performance including Simon Cowell who said: "There is something special about you Diana, that was brilliant."

Diana took part in a special performance of Mariah Carrey classic Hero alongside the other X-factor finalists. The song is being released as a charity single to cash for the Help for Heroes charity.

Diana said the song is given added meaning by her Army Signaller cousin WO2 Allan Charnley, also from East Lancashire.

She told the Sun newspaper: "I get so worried about Allan when he goes off to war."

Diana, from a strong military family, also revealed she had contemplated an army career before her bid for singing fame.

Source:Lancashire Evening Post