OUSTED X Factor star Laura White has been approached by record company bosses as the row over her shock exit reaches Westminster.

The M.E.N. can reveal that a record label has contacted the 21-year-old Atherton singer, who was axed on Saturday night in one of the biggest upsets in the history of the show.

Meanwhile, Culture Secretary Andy Burnham, who is also Laura's local MP, told the Commons Laura had been `very harshly' axed from the X Factor. The Labour politician spoke out as a petition on the internet attracted scores of signatures.

Laura, a student at Bolton University, found herself one of the bottom two performers after a performance of Endless Love. But after a sing-off, in which she sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow in memory of her granddad, the judges chose to axe her and keep Spanish singer Ruth Lorenzo.

One poster on the online petition, William Fitzpatrick, said: "Laura White has talent and potential. Given the circumstances, she should still be in the X Factor. She is better than some of the remaining contestants."

Laura has a string of TV and radio appearances booked for the next couple of days and has been staying in a top London hotel. Her 50-year-old dad, Adrian White, told the M.E.N: "The label got in touch trying to find out Laura's number. We were waiting to see what they've got to say, and keeping our fingers crossed."

He added: "It's wonderful that someone has gone to the effort of starting this petition and that so many people have signed it. People clearly feel that an injustice has been done."

Mr Burnham lent his support to Laura during Question Time in the Commons after Tory MP Robert Goodwill told ministers the BBC should provide more family programming.

Speaking of Mr Burnham's support, Mr White added: "It's absolutely brilliant - it must be big news."