THREE musical theatre students from Wirral are part of a Merseyside performing arts academy choir through to the next round of ITV's The X-Factor after wowing judges in the audition.

Andrew Morris from Bromborough, Cameron Povall, from Woodchurch and Jessica Mahoney from Moreton are part of the 14-strong Liverpool-based LMA Choir whose energetic rendition of This is Me from The Greatest Showman earned a standing ovation from celebrity panellists Direction's Louis Tomlinson, singer Robbie Williams, actress Ayda Williams, Simon Cowell and the entire audience at The SSE Arena, Wembley.

During the show, broadcast last night, Simon Cowell said their performance "brought an energy to the show which we need. You need us, we need you".

Louis said it was "so fun", "so uplifting" and "so entertaining" and Ayda Williams said she "wanted to jump in and join in.”

Robbie Williams was so impressed by the group, he even went backstage after the audition to congratulate them all and give them a celebratory hug.

The choir will now perform in the next stage of the competition.

Cameron Povall said: "To walk off stage after having four yes’s and then for Robbie to come backstage and congratulate us on our performance and tell us he was proud of us.

"That was incredible! And of course the standing ovation at Wembley arena!

"It was all mind-blowing. We are so excited for the next stage. We want to go all the way."

The choir is made up of founder and LMA Creative Director Stephanie Wallace Carr and 14 young people from musical courses at LMA.

The choir also features: Charlie Matthews from West Derby, Charlie Peacock from Liverpool, Caitlin Price, from West Derby, Jenny Fairbrother from Bootle, Jessica Jones, from Fazakerley, Joel Cornwall from Huyton, Lyndsey Skeaping from Knowsley, Rachel Chambers from Anfield, Sam Conlan, from Bootle, Sinead Ahrend from Knotty Ash and Sophie Ortt from Maghull.

Discussing their success, Stephanie Wallace Carr said: "We really wanted to audition for The X Factor. Who wouldn’t?!

"It's a huge opportunity for both the students and for LMA.

"It's the biggest platform on TV in terms of music, and showing yourselves off.

"For me, seeing the choir perform at the auditions was a proud moment. I feel like I’m the proud mum!

"I was a performer myself – and I think this even beats that feeling.

"What I get from the students is just surreal, they’re so talented. There's just no other feeling like it. It's just absolute pride."

Choir member Lyndsey Skeaping added: "One of the stand out moments was when we went backstage and Robbie Williams came back to congratulate us.

"He gave all 15 of us a big hug and said 'I just want to hug you all and tell you that you were amazing'.

"That was definitely the most star struck 'oh my god this is real’ moment for me."