AROUND 200 pupils travelled to London to see their friend Diana Vickers take to the West End stage at the weekend.

The youngsters from Westholme School in Blackburn, where Diana used to be a pupil, enjoyed VIP treatment at the Vaudeville Theatre, in the Strand, as they watched her new show ‘The Rise and Fall of Little Voice’.

Diana, who found fame as a finalist in last year’s X Factor, has won rave reviews for her role in the show.

She was given a standing ovation by the group and was mobbed for autographs as she joined them for photographs after the show.

Diana said: “It was so nerve racking performing in front of my old school, but it was such an amazing feeling.

"It was exciting and I could feel my heart pounding all the way through the show, but they gave me such an amazing reception and ovation. It was just as exciting as the first night!”

Megan Cooper, 18, drama captain at the school, said: “The show was unbeli-evable. Diana is an insp-iration to all of us and shows us that dreams really can come true.”

School principal Lillian Croston said: “It was a wonderful show and Diana was a star. It is hard to believe that she is here in the West End just 12 months after leaving our school.”

Cath Roberts, head of drama, said: “Diana was absolutely incredible.”

Diana, who grew up in Blackburn but moved with her family to Huncoat, plays a reclusive girl named Laura, who lives with her mother Mari (Lesley Sharp) in the north of England, but dreams of being a star.