A TEENAGE singer from Kingsmead has been crowned the winner of the Northwich X Factor 2016.

It proved third time lucky for 17-year-old Victoria Carney, who wowed judges and a 500-strong audience at the final at Northwich Memorial Court on Saturday night.

She had previously been a finalist in Northwich X Factor 2015 and Northwich's Got Talent 2014.

"I don't feel like it's real," she said.

"I never thought it would happen."

Victoria stormed to victory with her version of the up-tempo 'Something's Got a Hold of Me' from the 2010 film 'Burlesque'.

"I came off stage and said 'I literally don't think I could do any better'," she said.

"I've done two ballads in the last two years and thought if I'm going to win I'm going to have to change.

"It was also about realising that I know I enjoy what I'm doing and I need everyone else to see that."

Victoria, who has loved singing since she was five, attended St Wilfrid's Catholic Primary School and St Nicholas Catholic High School and is currently studying at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute in Manchester.

Tow councillor Joanne Storey, who organised the event with her husband Wayne and Cllr Gaynor Sinar from Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: "Victoria couldn't be more deserving – she's been in it three years running and we're so pleased for her."

Gaynor said: "Our first year's winner Shaun Gibson is now a superstar in China and our second year's winner Zara Okoro is headlining at events so who knows what the future holds for this year's winner."

The final featured performances from 12 singers, including Rosa Knowles, Brooke Morrison, Martin Rodgerson, Steve Slinger, Taylor Made, Sarah Shaw, Olivia Stokes, Rebecca Holland and Julie Ackerley, Alex Sant and Justine Buckley.

As well as the finalists there were also performances by Quicksteps dancers, Big Soul, and Northwich X Factor 2015 winner Zara Okoro.

MC for the evening was Steve Hart and judges were Sue Chatt, principal of Stagecoach Theatre Arts, Stephanie Cheadle, from Mid Cheshire Independent, Martin Roberts, from Mid Cheshire Musical Theatre Company, James Chappell, from Butters John Bee estate agent, and Northwich Guardian chief reporter Gina Bebbington.