Jodie Prenger received a mighty welcome home when hundreds of people gathered in Talbot Square to congratulate the Blackpool star on landing her dream West End role.

The songstress – who won BBC1's I'd Do Anything search for a Nancy to play in a West End revival of Oliver! – was back in the resort on Saturday to meet and greet her fans.

Screaming

The crowd went wild with applause, screaming and cheering when the 28-year-old star emerged from the Town Hall, which had been decked out in red and purple banners and balloons.

A tearful Jodie, who donned her red Nancy outfit especially for the homecoming, said: "I only expected about 30 people to turn up, and that was at a push.

"When I saw everyone there, new faces and familiar faces, it made me beam from ear to ear. I just can't thank people enough for the support they have given me."

And Jodie, of Newton Drive, spent more than a hour enjoying her triumphant return, laid on by Blackpool Council.

"I loved it. I wanted to go round everyone. I have always enjoyed meeting people, maybe from growing up in a hotel, or from my mum and dad's rest home, I just wanted to say hello and thank you to everyone who had come out to see me. Each and every person who picked up the phone to vote for me as their Nancy gave me my dream, so I owe it to them to go out there and give them the best Nancy Oliver! has ever seen."

The crowd roared when she treated them to a special sing-a-long - belting out Oliver tunes Oom-pah-pah and As Long As He Needs Me.

Then there was the scrabble for autographs as Jodie spent nearly an hour meeting and greeting her fans.

Paul Ashton, 19, from Fleetwood, managed to get a signed photo of Jodie.

He said: "She's fantastic. She's proved that Blackpool has got talent."

And Joy Bower, 61, from South Shore, said: "I thought she was smashing all the way through the show. She's done Blackpool proud."

The special homecoming also gave Jodie the chance to catch up with some family and friends.

Catherine Chatzikonstantinou, 33, took along her three-year-old sons Artie and Costa, who are Jodie's godsons.

She said: "She's worked so hard for this, we're all ecstatic. The boys have been so excited about seeing Aunty Jo Jo and I'll be taking them to London to watch the show."

Jodie arrived home, for the first time since starting her Nancy quest 12 weeks ago, late on Friday night to be greeted by her mum and dad, Madeleine and Marty.

But they had to wait for a hug from their daughter.... playing second fiddle to her dogs!

"I grabbed and kissed my dogs as much as I could," said Jodie."Louis, Gizmo, Arnie and Honey ran to the door like a welcome committee!"

Jodie will start rehearsals for Oliver! in the autumn before hitting the West End stage in the New Year.