A PRESTON flopstar, who now has mega stardom at her fingertips thanks to millionaire tycoon Richard Branson, says she owes it all to her old music teachers at Penwortham Priory high school.

Talented Jessica Taylor, 20, who narrowly missed out on being selected for the band Hear'Say in the television's Popstars earlier this year, has just clinched a £2.5 million deal with Virgin records.

She is one of five band members in Liberty -- including Leyland lad Kevin Simm -- the Popstar wannabes who were dropped by 'Nasty Nigel' after making it to the final 10.

Jessica, of Mulberry Avenue, Penwortham, says she owes it all to music teachers at the school in Crow Hills Road, Penwortham, who told her mum she had a "voice that moves the heart".

Jessica said: "The first thing I ever sang publicly was Once in Royal David's City at St Mary's Church in Penwortham -- once I started school I was really encouraged by my music teachers, Mr Bennett and Mr Wootton. They really gave me the confidence to sing." Chris Wootton, who taught music at the school for eight years, said: "She was singing the second she came to the school and we worked together on a number of projects -- one of which was Grease and Jessica played Frenchie.

"She was definitely a cut above the average singer in the school -- she had a lovely voice and was very keen to get involved in any singing project going."

He added: "Grease was a terrific production and she got some enthusiastic applause but she was very modest and didn't brag about her talent even though she was the one that people remembered.

"She left school and went to Runshaw College and I did not hear anything of her until I saw her on popstars on television and was amazed at how her voice had matured."

Jessica, who left Preston last week, said: "I only left Preston a week ago to move to London but I miss my mum, dad and little brother and all my mates already -- I will come back as much as I can.

"We have not made any plans for any gigs yet but I can't wait to do something at home, perhaps in the Guild Hall but I will let the Citizen know of anything we plan because it is a paper I've always really rated."

She added: "I am determined to succeed and if I do become rich on the strength of that I will buy my parents a lovely new house in Preston."