VOTE Cher! Today we are urging our readers to support Malvern’s Cher Lloyd in her battle for the X Factor crown.

The teenage singing sensation has made it to the competition’s final 12 and will be competing in the live TV shows from Saturday.

Cher has been in the national media spotlight since her first audition was shown on the programme.

But she is a local girl and it is right that Worcestershire’s leading newspaper campaigns for a local act to win television’s biggest show.

If Cher were to win X Factor it could herald the start of a major pop career for the 17-year-old.

The likes of Will Young and Leona Lewis have become international superstars as a result of winning similar shows.

Wouldn’t it be great if a young girl from our patch were to follow in their footsteps?

Cher has been successful in singing contests across the local area for some years. Now she has the chance to win the biggest one of them all.

Throughout Cher’s time on X Factor – and we hope she makes it all the way to the final – your Worcester News will be backing the youngster.

And we want our readers to do the same.

Get behind her on Saturday – and make sure you vote for Cher.

Who knows? You could all play a part in making Cher’s wildest dreams come true.