SINGING hopeful January Woodhead failed to reach the finals of TV talent show The X Factor this year - but she showed Simon Cowell exactly what he was missing by winning a talent competition in Manchester.

Moston-based January, 20, made it to the bootcamp stage of this year's ITV talent hunt - and had even been praised by judge Cowell as being one of his favourites.

But she admits she fluffed her final audition - and missed out in a place in the final 24 who jetted off to the judges's homes.

It made victory in Manchester's Talented Youngster competition in front of packed crowd at the city's Palace Hotel on Saturday night all the sweeter, where she scooped the top cash prize of £2,000.

She wowed a panel of celebrity judges who included Coronation Street stars Kym Marsh, Tupele Dorgu, Kenny Doughty, award-winning actor David Fleeshman and Emmerdale stars Kelvin Fletcher and Danny Miller with her performance of power ballad Alone.

January beams: "I'm still in shock that I won Talented Youngster, it was such an amazing feeling."

She says she doesn't feel bitter about her X Factor departure - despite such high praise from Cowell and fellow judge Cheryl Cole in earlier rounds.

She says: "I know I didn't really deserve to go through in the last audition, and of course I was disappointed, but at least I know I could perhaps go for The X Factor again and do better next time. Every comment off the judges had been good - Cheryl even said I gave her goosebumps."

January, who is studying music at Salford University, dreams of becoming a full-time recording artist, buoyed by her win at the Talented Youngster contest.

The annual event, now in its ninth year, saw talented 12-year-old singer Harry Mondryk scoop the junior talent title, while £10,000 was raised for children's charity Destination Florida at the glitzy black-tie do.

For a full picture gallery from this event, go to manchester eveningnews.co.uk