POP Idol hopeful Zoe Birkett will be enjoying an extra special Christmas after making it through to the final of the hit show.

The 16-year-old from Darlington wowed the judges on Saturday night's programme with her rendition of Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas.

Zoe, a pupil at Carmel Technology College, has been allowed to come home for Christmas to spend time with her family.

She has been staying in London with the other contestants as they battle it out to win a recording contract with label company RCA.

The Northern Echo is backing Zoe to win the show and has been inundated with calls from readers offering their support.

Health Minister and MP Alan Milburn, Darlington Football Club chairman George Reynolds and the Mayor of Darlington, Councillor Isobel Hartley, have added their support to the campaign.

Zoe said: "I was really happy with my performance on Saturday. I had been really looking forward to it because it had a Christmas theme.

"I was so chuffed with what the judges said about me. I was overwhelmed.

"It is so nice that The Northern Echo and the readers are supporting me. We have been allowed to come home for Christmas, so I'm coming back to Darlington and will be spending it with my family.

"I will be going back to London on Thursday to prepare for the next show."

Aaron Bayley, of Walkerdene, Newcastle also made it through to the final.

The 26-year-old has revealed that he has recorded a song on his album for the sister he never knew. The track is named "Lana" after his sister, who died before he was born.

Messages of support can be phoned in to The Northern Echo on (01325) 505071.

For more pop news, log onto www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/revolution.