SINGER Chelsey Mansell has been awarded a recording contract with a London-based label.

The 21-year-old, from Horwich, was one of 16 hand-picked from a staggering 2,500 hopefuls to be handed a deal which could propel her to stardom.

Chelsey was in the capital at the weekend together with a further eight pupils of the Melody Pop Tuition and Management firm, run by Farnworth's Jean Pasquill.

Samantha Halliwell, a 15-year-old from Darwen, was not picked, however.

Mrs Pasquill said: "Chelsey was gob-smacked. I've never seen her so quiet and at a loss for words.

"But I'm really proud of her. She has done ever so well.

"In the three years I've known her she come on in leaps and bounds."

Chelsey has signed with Trinity Music and was the only Northern girl to be snapped up.

She is a member of the Abba tribute band, The Right Stuff. Ironically she replaced Suzanne Shaw -- who is currently hitting the headlines after beating 3,000 wannabes to get into the last five of ITV's hit show Popstars.