Regional papers are gearing up for tomorrow’s X Factor final as they seek to rally support behind their local candidates.

The Shields Gazette has been running its Go Joe! campaign ever since 18-year-old Joe McElderry was named as one of the original 12 singers to make it through to the Saturday night live shows.

The newspaper gave out thousands of posters to local homes and businesses in South Tyneside to show their support, and placed a Go Joe! logo on one of its newspaper delivery vans.

And its efforts were even highlighted on last Saturday’s Xtra Factor spin-off programme, after producers sent a camera crew to talk to editor John Szymanski and staff at its South Shields office.

Local lad Joe was already known to the Gazette from the Pride of South Tyneside awards last year when Mr Szymanski, chairman of the judging panel, and other community figures handed him the title of Young Performer of the Year.

Mr Szymanski said: “When I first saw Joe singing live on stage in the heats, even from the very first notes, I knew he was destined for stardom.

“He has been gifted with a truly amazing voice and, for me, is clearly the best singer in The X Factor as he has risen to the occasion week after week with consistently strong performances.

“He really deserves to win The X Factor this weekend and he is assured of a big future ahead of him as one of Britain’s best young singers to emerge in years.”

As the much-anticipated final looms this weekend, the paper has changed its Go Joe! campaign to Vote Joe! as it urges readers to reach for the phone and help the talented teenager be crowned The X Factor winner.

But the Gazette is not the only regional daily seeking to influence the outcome of this weekend’s vote, which concludes on Sunday night.

The Evening Star in Ipswich has launched a “We’re Backing Olly” campaign in support of its local candidate, Olly Murs, who is from Witham in Essex.

As well as urging readers to vote for the singer it is offering them the chance to download a poster of him from its website.