POP IDOL wannabe Hayley Bamford is celebrating making it to the final rounds of the TV show - again - and wants the people of York to take her even further.

Singer Hayley, 22, of Haxby Road, reached the last 50 of the ITV show which shot Gareth Gates and Will Young to stardom.

Following her success on the earlier show Hayley became something of a celebrity in York, performing at the switching on of the Christmas Lights and singing for charity.

Now, 18 months on, she has reached the last 50 hopefuls again.

"I'm so pleased to have got here again, I just want to go even further now," she said. "There have been a few surprises since I was on the show last time, not least I have had a beautiful little baby."

"To be honest that makes it even better, to be getting this far with all these things going on around me, it feels great."

Despite her life-altering few months, Hayley, of Haxby Road, has had nothing but support and praise from the judges, even the notorious Simon Cowell, and Nicky Chapman.

"Simon said she had a great voice, he's really behind her, and Nicky says she's a lovely looker," said Hayley's proud mum Debbie.

When Hayley was last in the contest she was knocked out by now household names Darius and Celebrity Fit Club star Rick Waller.

"With that kind of opposition sadly she didn't make it last time, but we are really hopeful this time round," said Debbie.

"I think it will really make a difference if all the readers and everyone gets behind me," said Hayley.

Hayley has recently been to London to practice some of her songs with voice coaches in London.

She said: "I will be on TV on the live show on Saturday. I want everyone to tune in, and phone in to vote.

"It would be a dream to get through to the next round, the final ten, that is where everything really starts happening for you.

"But I'm sure the people of York can make that dream come true for me."

Updated: 10:48 Thursday, September 25, 2003