SINGING sensation Grace Davies has been named by friends as ‘Amazing Grace’ after her appearance on the ITV talent show, the X-Factor.

The warehouse worker from Langho has become an early front runner to win this year’s show after she wowed the judges on opening night.

The 20-year-old received heaps of praise from Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Sherzinger after performing her own song, ‘Roots’, for the first time.

Grace’s own ‘roots’ can be traced back to when she attended St Leonard’s Church of England Primary School, Whalley Road, Langho more than 10 years ago.

She was one of 50 pupils to have signed up to a gardening club at St Leonards back in 2008.

Langho resident Jean Lord, who set up the gardening club nine years ago, said: “I knew Grace because she was in my gardening club at St Leonard’s Church of England School.

“She joined the club when she was in her final year at Primary School, when she was 11. I must say I did not instantly recognise her when I saw her on TV but I was thrilled for her. I think I was more a bag of nerves than her mother was.”

Grace then attended Clitheroe Royal Grammar School and studied there until she was 18.

Lewis Baxter, 18, who went to Clitheroe Royal Grammar School with Grace, said:

“Grace was in the same school as me but two years younger. We used to get on the same bus because we lived in the same village.

“I think it's brilliant. I knew she would go far but did not realise she would become this big."

Grace would later train Lewis to become a radio presenter after she became a member of the Ribble Valley’s community radio station Ribble FM last year.

Kath-Lord Green, who is the station manager for Ribble FM, said: “Everyone at Ribble FM knew Grace really well.

“We trained her to be a presenter but I know she definitely wanted a career in music as a singer-song writer.

“I definitely admire Grace. When all her friends were going to university Grace stuck to her guns to start a career as a singer.

“We called her ‘Amazing Grace’ and she stayed with us for a few months presenting 'Home Run'.

“Everybody at Ribble FM wishes Grace all the best in the future and hope she progresses to the finals of the X-Factor.”