A teenager from Helston showed off her X-factor on Monday when she sang in front of thousands alongside pop superstar Nicole Scherzinger.

For someone who has already overcome many battles in her young life, it was fitting that 13-year-old Leanna Williams should perform Ain't No Mountain High Enough with X Factor judge Nicole.

Leanna was part of the Rays of Sunshine choir, featuring 14 brave children who have fought serious illness.

The year nine pupil at Mullion School has faced leukaemia twice and endured chemotherapy as well as a bone marrow transplant.

She travelled to London for Monday's concert at the SSE Arena in Wembley, which was organised by the charity that grants wishes of sick children around the country.

Leanna told the Helston Packet: "It was really, really amazing. I really enjoyed it."

She described being up on stage as "really fun," admitting that she felt a bit nervous before she went on but once up there she loved every minute of it.

"It was like a dream come true," she added.

Leanna described Nicole as "lovely" and said how the former Pussycat Doll had told her she looked like Merida, the flame-haired heroin of the Disney animated film Brave.

Before the evening concert, Leanna got to take part in practices with Nicole and a sound check, as well as look around backstage and meet some of the other celebrities take part, to get autographs and photos.

They included Radio 1 Teen Award nominees DNCE, who later rocked their huge hit Cake by the Ocean, as well as Connor Maynard and James TW.

Others to take part included last year's X Factor winner Louisa Johnson and 2014 runner up Fleur East, Lawson and Shawn Mendes, fresh from winning Teen Awards for best international solo artist and best single for Stitches.

It was then time for her hair and make up to be professionally done before Leanna and her fellow choir members waited for their spot on the stage.

In addition to performing with Nicole, the choir also sang Fight Song by Rachel Platten - with Leanna chosen to sing a solo line, "Like how a single word can make a heart open."

Leanna, who sings with Mullion School's chamber choir and senior choir, said she "really, really loved" the whole experience but also wanted to raise awareness of the charity and the work it does for sick children.

She added that she would happily do it all over again - which is fortunate, as the choir is now booked to perform Fight Song at the Met Ball being held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in November.