A FORMER teaching assistant at Harlington Community School was crowned X-factor champion with her group Little Mix last night.

The all-girl group beat Liverpool's Marcus Collins, 23, to win a recording contract.

Leigh-Anne Pinnock had originally entered the competition alone, but it was soon decided that she, Jade Thirlwell, Jesy Nelson and Perrie Edwards should form a group.

Little Mix are the first group to win the competition.

Leigh-Anne last night sent a message via Twitter to her fans.

She said: “Omgoshhhhh we did it! This is just a dream come true! Thanks you soooooo much all our amazing #LittleMixers we did it.”

Leigh-Ann's mum, Debbie told me this week: "I'm still in a bubble with all this. This has been a fantastic journey for Leigh-Anne and Little Mix and also all Leigh-Anne's family.

"I would like to say a huge thank you to all the local people in Hayes who know myself and Leigh-Anne, who voted every week for Little Mix.

"They would not have won without the huge support from colleagues and friends I work with.

"Little Mix have a wonderful future ahead."