A TEENAGE singing sensation is hoping the region will back her when she competes in the final of a televised talent show.

Ashlea Pearson, 13, of Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, won her heat of Stars In Their Eyes Kids shown on ITV last weekend.

Her performance of Gloria Estefan's One, Two, Three wowed judges of the hit show.

Now she needs the support of the public and hopes people will ring in to vote for her when she performs live tomorrow.

Ashlea said: "I am really excited about it - I can't wait.

"I prefer performing live because you can show off more and have more fun.

"Everyone was really excited to see me in the final. People have been coming up to me and saying 'I saw you on Stars In Their Eyes."

Ashlea is taking on eight other young singers but beat competition from 10,000 hopefuls to get on the show.

Pupils and teachers at her school, Lord Lawson of Beamish, in Birtley, near Gateshead, are backing her.

Euro MP Stephen Hughes even asked for her autograph for his six-year-old daughter, who is already a fan, when he visited the school this week.

Ashlea's mother, Christina, said: "She has had an absolutely brilliant reaction. People have been coming up to her in the street to say they saw her and she has had cards and presents supporting her from people she doesn't know.

"The more people who know about it the better.

"We hope everyone will vote for her."

Published: 13/05/2004