A PICTURE of Journey South mentor Simon Cowell hangs above the packed bar at the Lingfield Farm.

The image was taken last Monday when he and the Pemberton brothers made a surprise visit to the pub in Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, from where the boys hail.

Simon, flanked by the pub's management team, displays his trademark grin - a grin that regulars, all staunch Journey South supporters, had expected to see more of on the big screen as they waited for the X Factor verdict on Saturday.

"It's definitely first or second, either would do," said one man.

"Yeah, first or second, there's a lot of teenagers going to vote for Shayne, so it might have to be second, but that would still be fantastic," said another.

But the party atmosphere quickly changed as Andy Abraham was announced as the first of the two acts going through to the final stage. He had been considered by many as the obvious third place.

Moments later Kate Thornton announced Shayne Ward as the other act to go through.

Some booed and jeered, others held their heads in their hands. Everybody was thoroughly disappointed.

Pub manager Katy Dilcock said: "I'm gutted, I really am gutted. I thought they were going to win it, I think a lot of us did.

"Up until the moment, the atmosphere was so good and everybody was really excited. But we are still really proud of them and we can't wait to see them in the pub again.

"And if it is anything like when they came in last week, it will be amazing, they are still really popular round here and very well liked."

Third out of 75,000 is a remarkable achievement that will not be forgotten in Coulby Newham.