POPSTARS Atomic Kitten cruised to the top of the charts this week and revealed they knew their song would be a hit -- after they played it first in Blackburn.

The sexy trio beat sultry American stars Destiny's Child to the coveted number one spot in the official UK Top 40 with their cover of The Bangles' hit Eternal Flame and knocked pop superstar Robbie Williams from the top slot.

Record shops in East Lancashire today spoke of excellent sales of the single -- which has been slated by music critics -- putting it down to their performance at the Feel the Noise concert in Blackburn in June.

They were one of several big name bands to appear at the event, held at Ewood Park and organised by Preston-based Rock FM, along with S Club 7 and 5ive.

And while the event may have been one to remember for the 25,000 who attended, it was one the girls won't forget either.

Group member Liz McLarnon told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: "We were really nervous about performing it, what with it being a cover and everything.

"But the reaction from the crowd in Blackburn proved to us we had done the right thing. They were wonderful.

"We knew it was important to give the single our style so people knew it was by us.

"We had planned to perform it properly before Blackburn but because we had all been so ill we had to cancel the performances.

"We have always had a good relationship with people in the area, including Rock FM and a local school in Great Harwood, where we performed when we were just starting out." The group, now made up of Liz, Jenny Frost and Natasha Hamilton, appeared at North Cliffe School, Great Harwood, in early 2000.

Liz added: "It's been so amazing knowing you're number one. Following Whole Again was going to be tough, but the crowd in Blackburn convinced us that we had done the right thing.

"Beating Destiny's Child was great because we want to be as big as them one day." Michelle Mangan, from HMV in King William Street, Blackburn, said: "It has been a massive hit here and we have sold a lot of copies.

"I think a lot of that can be attributed to the fact that the group have performed here.

"Normally it is something you only see with really big artists. When U2 performed at the MEN Arena in Manchester, we sold a lot of their back copies. Eternal Flame is certainly a popular single."

A spokesman for MVC, who have a branch in Burnley, said: "It has sold exceptionally well given the time of year, especially in the East Lancashire area."

A spokesman for Woolworths said: "It is often the way that a group who perform live sell more copies nearby."