POP Idol star Zoe Birkett gave her young fans a thrill when she dropped in for a surprise visit.

The young singer, from Darlington, may have been eliminated from the television programme, but she was rated tops by children at Middleton St George Primary School, near Darlington.

Janine Gleeson, deputy headteacher, said: "I believe this is the first school she has agreed to visit. It was quite emotional, with some of the children in tears, and they were all chanting her name as she left. In fact, she looked a bit overcome as well.