Havering rallies to support Stacey

The Romford Recorder reports on how support across Stacey's home borough of Havering in east London is rallying for their home town girl

THERE are not too many singing stars to come from Havering - but now you have the unique opportunity to create one.

Twenty-year-old Havering College student Stacey Solomon rocked her way into the fifth heat of ITV talent show The X Factor on Saturday.

Now we are urging all Romford Recorder readers to vote for Stacey every week in the hope that she can follow in the footsteps of Leona Lewis and become a recording star. We want you to display the poster in today's Recorder (on our centre pages) to encourage others to do the same!

Support is growing across the borough. At Oh My Cod fish and chip shop in North Street, Hornchurch - where Stacey used to work - manager Jimmy Andrew said: "She's a nice girl. She came and saw us when she was allowed out of the X Factor house on Monday."

The Moby Dick pub in Whalebone Lane North, Dagenham - Stacey's home town - has put up a banner outside showing its support.

Managers Tina Donno and Neil Challinor said: "Her performances have been amazing and we're sure she'll go all the way."

Marketing manager at The Mall Romford, Sarah De Courcy Rolls, said traders were caught up in Stacey mania.

"Everybody here loves Stacey," she said.

And she is even being talked about in the corridors of power at Havering Town Hall. Council leader Michael White said he is "backing Stacey all the way".

Upminster MP Angela Watkinson is also rooting for our girl. She said: "It will be a great coup for her and Havering College if she wins.