A SINGER was welcomed back to her home town to receive an honourary award.

Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall visited South Shields over the Easter bank holiday weekend, to be inducted as an honorary fellow of The Customs House Academy.

Before finding international fame on the X Factor the star honed her skills and performed several times at The Customs House.

She received the award from Ray Spencer MBE and executive director of The Customs House.

Among those at the ceremony for invited guests, included fellow X Factor winner and honorary fellow, Joe McElderry.

Both the stars, who have been friends since they started singing together as teenagers, were interviewed by BBC Look North presenter Jeff Brown as part of the event, which raised funds for The Customs House Trust.

Jade, 26, who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief this year, said: “I am so, so happy to have been given this award. I’m very proud to come from South Shields and to have learned so much from performing at my local theatre.

“From singing there to seeing the panto every year, The Customs House holds a very special place in my heart. It’s important to support such an amazing theatre."