THE minute she burst on to our TV screens wearing a white suit with trousers slashed to the thigh, Pop Idol contestant Zoe Birkett showed she had her own distinctive style.

At just 16, she already has the confidence to try out new looks and, like that ultimate pop idol, Madonna, she proved herself to be a true chameleon, reinventing herself for each appearance on the show.

Girls up and down the country have been rushing to copy the Darlington girl's look and, at Jigsaw hairdressers, in her home town's Gladstone Street, they have been clamouring for Zoe-style curls.

Salon owner Nigel Dowson said: "We have had quite a few people coming in and asking to have their hair done like Zoe's.

"Only last week we did a spiral perm for one girl. It is a strong look but it is something that you can have done at the salon or at home."

To find out just how easy it is to achieve the look, The Northern Echo gave a makeover to 20-year-old Lea Walton, whose mother, Debbie, works at the hair salon.

"I went to the same school as Zoe and even used to sing in the same choir, but because I am four years older than her, I didn't know her," said Ms Walton.

"I work on Saturday nights, so I have not really had a chance to see Pop Idol but, when I had a chance to watch it, I thought Zoe was really good and it is a shame that she went out of the show."

Zoe's crowning glory is her long hair but, as the show progressed, she changed her style from a cascade of curls to a straighter, sleeker look. Her dark brown hair also became lighter.

Ms Walton spent a couple of hours in the salon having her naturally curly hair styled and blonde extensions added.

We then took her to Rise, in Crown Street, Darlington, where she tried on outfits inspired by the clothes Zoe wore on the show.

As with her hair, the teenage singer adapted her outfits to match her choice of song.

For her rendition of Judy Garland's Come On Get Happy, she went for full-on Hollywood glamour in a strapless satin dress and, for her final appearance, she chose a cut-away black top and figure-hugging trousers. Along the way there were jeans and an Abba-style hat.

Ms Walton picked two outfits one casual and the other more glamorous.

She said: "I really like the clothes, especially the jeans. I have not worn jeans since I was about 15, but I might go out and buy myself a pair."

However, she was less impressed with her new hairstyle.

"I think I would have preferred having it all curly and just one colour," she said.

"The extensions are a bit much. They really stand out and I feel that everyone is looking at me.

"It looks great on Zoe, but I do not think it is really me."