SUNDERLAND-BORN Emeli Sande proved why she is the golden girl of British pop with a stunning performance on the first of two nights in the North-East.

The singer, the voice of the London 2012 Olympics, took to the stage at Newcastle City Hall tonight to rapturous applause.

Clearly feeding off the warm reception she received, she responded with a faultless set from her chart-topping repertoire.

Sande's debut album, Our Version Of Events, has spent 58 weeks in the Official UK Album chart and is currently at number three.

The biggest-selling album of 2012, it has shifted more than 1.6 million copies and this tour marks the release of a special edition of the record, which now includes a cover of the John Lennon classic, "Imagine".

Support came from up and coming singer Sam Smith.

Sande emerged on stage dressed conservatively in a white blouse and knee- length pencil skirt.

Opening with 'Heaven', she soon had the crowd eating out of her hand and followed that with 'Where I Sleep' and 'Breaking The Law'.