The battle for chart success is about to hot up on Popstars: The Rivals and the Essex Chronicle is making it clear who it wants to see make the grade.

The weekly newspaper is backing Chelmsford hopeful Chloe Staines (pictured) to make the girl band and has made an early appeal to readers to show their support by backing Chloe on the show's hotline once voting gets underway.

It is also inviting readers to send in their messages of support for her.

Assistant news editor Matthew Devonport said: "We had a discussion in the newsroom about how many popstars there are that come from Chelmsford and we were scratching our heads.

"So if Chloe were to make it into the band the town would be very proud."

The 18-year-old beat 10,000 hopefuls to make it through to the final 20 - 10 girls and 10 boys - and is about to begin her fight to become one of five girls who make it into the final band.

She is currently living in a house in Surrey with the other nine contestants before the weekly vote to eject contestants begins on October 19.

She will then have to perform live during an hour-long show on Saturday nights where viewers will vote to keep their favourites and one contestant will be eliminated each week.

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