SCHOOL cleaner Nicola Kirsch swept to victory, winning ITV's Stars in Their Eyes grand final in style.

Her impersonation of legendary soprano Maria Callas polled around a third of the votes cast - more than 474,000 - to snatch the title with her performance of O Mio Babbino Caro.

Miss Kirsch, who works at Bishop Wordsworth's School, has already had offers of work and is bringing out a CD. Her aim is to earn enough money to open an animal sanctuary in Spain or Italy.

She is no stranger to either country. She did her formal operatic training there and has been a frequent visitor ever since, even busking on the streets during the summer months.

It was a chance viewing of the Italian version of the soundalike show, Momenti di Gloria, which gave her the idea of sending an audition tape to the ITV producers.

She told viewers on Saturday night that she was surprised to win her heat because she didn't think that an opera singer would stand a chance of success on the show.

When her victory was announced she appeared stunned. In the flurry of hugs and congratulations from fellow competitors, her hairpins came loose and she had to make hurried adjustments on her way to the stage.