TONIGHT, Darlington songbird Zoe Birkett will make her bid to stay in the ITV Pop Idol competition.

The 16-year-old will compete against nine other finalists in a festive edition of the show.

Viewers will be asked to vote for their favourite performer and the singer with the least amount of votes will leave the show.

Support is growing in Darlington for Zoe, who is a pupil at the town's Carmel Technology College, with her fans phoning in good luck messages to The Northern Echo.

North-East entertainer Dave Adams is a friend of Zoe's mum, Tracey. He said: "She is an amazing girl with an amazing voice and it is great to see the people of Darlington getting behind their home-grown talent."

Richard Moses and his wife Pamela, from Darlington, are big Zoe fans.

Mr Moses said: "We've seen her in the previous shows and we think she's a credit to the town, full of personality, and we would like to give her our support."

Mary Sanderson, another Darlington resident, also rang in to voice her support.

She said: "I think Zoe is great. She has a marvellous voice and I will be definitely voting for her."

Zoe's festive performance will be on ITV tonight and readers are urged to cast their votes.

Messages of support can still be phoned in to The Northern Echo on (01325) 505071.

For music news visit www.this isthenortheast.co.uk/revolutio