EAST Lancashire’s X Factor starlet Diana Vickers has recorded her first single in the name of charity.

Diana, of Accrington, joined forces with the other X Factor finalists to cover a track first made famous by American diva Mariah Carey.

The 17-year-old Westholme pupil and the other hopefuls jumped at the chance to record a cover of 1993 hit Hero in aid of Help For Heroes.

Help For Heroes was set up to help the wounded, and is backed by the Army Benevolent Fund, which works for soldiers and other servicemen and women.

The charity will split the proceeds with the British Legion Poppy Fund.

X Factor fans and Diana’s supporters will be able to hear the track performed live for the first time on the show on October 25.

Hero will hit the shops two days later, on October 27, two weeks before Remembrance Sunday.

Help For Heroes founder Bryn Parry said: “Everyone is thrilled to hear that The X Factor is supporting our boys and girls.”

Diana, who has family in Blackburn, made the final 12 from more than 150,000 hopefuls.

Last week, in her first live performance on the show, she sang U2’s With or Without You.

Diana was praised by the judges and the public voted her through to the next week.