Huncoat singer Diana Vickers is storming her way to the top of the charts this week with her debut single Once.

The single, which was released on Monday, is already number one in the iTunes charts and mid-week figures show positive signs she could reach the coveted top spot in the Official UK Top 40 this weekend.

The 18-year-old first came into the public eye when she finished fourth in the X Factor in 2008.

But Diana has been taking her time in pursuing her pop career to make sure she would be seen as a credible artist.

And in the two years away from the popular telly talent show she has also made a name for herself in acting - taking on the lead role in the Rise And Fall of Little Voice in the West End - and winning rave reviews.

Her talents on the stage were so well received she was named 'London Newcomer of the Year' in the What's On Stage Awards.

Now after being signed to RCA Records and working on her album, Songs From The Tainted Cherry Tree, for a year, she is ready to take on the charts.

Diana's dad Edwin said: "We are so proud of her, it is amazing how well her career is going. It has just been brilliant since her appearance on X Factor. She deserves all the success she gets as she works very hard.

"Hopefully she will be number one in the charts at the weekend, we all have our fingers crossed. She is delighted with how well it is going."

Her family and friends are also hoping the album, which is released on May 3, will be just as successful.

Edwin said: "The single and album are brilliant. She has written quite a few songs on the album, and although we know she is talented, it is still amazing to think she has done this at such a young age - to me she will always be my little girl.

"We have got used to seeing her in the spotlight but it can be surreal sometimes when you open a paper or turn on the TV and she is there. She really enjoyed Little Voice and obviously she was proud she was another Lancashire girl taking on the role after the success of Jane Horrocks. She enjoys the acting but at the moment she wants to concentrate on being a popstar."

Diana now lives in London but sometimes misses her home life up north.

Edwin added: ""She has made a nice life for herself in London with a new set of friends and also her friends from home go and visit. Her older sister Charlotte is at drama school in London so they meet up all the time.

"Diana is only 18, so sometimes she misses home, especially her mum, but she has grown up fast. We try and speak to her every day but she is always busy at the moment. Hopefully she will be able to visit home soon."