SHE was a Popstars 'reject' -- but try telling that to school pupils who were wowed by singer Javine.

Best known to TV viewers as the girl who just failed to make it into group Girls Aloud, she visited St Wilfrid's High School, Blackburn, to perform for students.

Now pursuing a successful solo career, she performed three songs including her debut hit Real Things, which reached number four and new single Surrender. Deputy headteacher Helen Reece said: "It was fantastic and all the students enjoyed it thoroughly and behaved impeccably too.

"She's extremely talented and was a lovely person too. She was very down-to-earth and some of the students got to have a chat with her."

The show Popstars whittled down thousands of wannabe girl band members to just five who make up Girls Aloud and who have since had number one success with the hit song Sound of the Underground.

Javine got down to the final six but just missed out in a dramatic telephone vote

She was ably supported for the St Wilfrid's gig by new R&B pop outfit VS, who are managed by Simon from boy band Blue.

The concert was organised by radio station Rock FM. The school won a competition to get the stars to visit and they heard the announcement live on air last week.