HUNDREDS of screaming fans welcomed home the region's X Factor finalists last night for a one-off concert.

Shouts and screams could be heard across the town centre as fans queued outside to catch a glimpse of brothers Andy and Carl Pemberton - now famously known as Journey South.

It was a glorious return for the brothers after they made it through a nail-biting semi-final on Saturday night with their rendition of Rod Stewart's You're In My Heart and the Beatles classic Let It Be.

Now favourites to win, Andy, 29, and Carl, 25, from Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, did what they do best in front of an ecstatic crowd of friends, relatives and competition winners at Middlesbrough Town Hall.

After opening with the Eagles' hit Desperado - a song the duo made their own during the X Factor heats - the pair went on to prove they were more than just a cover band. The brothers impressed the audience with their own song, Amazing, telling their hosts: "It's great to sing our own stuff. We don't get to do it on the show."

They also told the crowd: "We will not let you down."

The statement was greeted by screams and cheers.

Lois Mallson, 21, of Stockton, said: "I thought they were brilliant. We will be topping our phones up for Saturday."

Fans from the brothers' former school, Acklam Grange, turned out in their uniforms.

Year ten pupil Samantha Beach, 15, of Acklam, said: "I thought they were amazing. It was different - they look different when you can see them close up."