Bradford pop queen Kimberley Walsh was today looking forward to a happy Christmas after securing her place in music history.

The Allerton 21-year-old won a place in pop history when Girls Aloud became the first girl band to secure a Christmas number one with their debut hit.

Their song Sound of the Underground last night beat rival boy band One True Voice to the coveted festive top spot.

And speaking moments after the chart was revealed, Kimberley's proud mum Diane said she was "absolutely ecstatic" at the news.

"It has been a fantastic night - absolutely wonderful," she said. "It was a really good show and I just cannot believe it has actually happened."

She had been in the London studio as the result of the race for the number one spot was announced live on the final show of ITV's Popstars: The Rivals series. Tension turned into jubilation when DJ Neil Fox announced the Christmas chart.

Kimberley's friends and family watched as the five girls screamed with delight at the news.

As well as becoming the first girl band to secure a Christmas number one with their debut release, they are the first all-girl outfit to go straight to the top of the charts. It was also the shortest time on record that a band has secured a number one after being formed.

The record sold more than 215,000 copies in its first week - 150,000 more than the One True Voice offering.

And Kimberley said she believed the band's success was due to the fact they had "dared to be different".

"I think we took a bit of a risk at the beginning, but it has paid off," she said. "We want to say a massive thank you to everyone who bought the song, especially the girls who stuck behind us."

Mum Diane said her daughter's incredible achievement was still sinking in.

"It is so hard to believe," she said. "When you see the list of artists and records that have been at number one at Christmas, it is just brilliant. I could tell by the look on Kimberley's face that she was delighted. It is amazing.

"We were just thinking back to that night in Manchester in August when she went for the auditions and about everything that has happened since.

"It is so incredible. One day, I will get round to watching all the videos from the past few months."

Primary school teacher Mrs Walsh admitted she had hoped the result would go the right way - but said there had been some last minute nerves.

"I think we did expect it after what we had heard, but just before it was announced I got into a panic that it might not happen," she said.

But - as predicted by the bookies - the girls' catchy anthem proved a hit with the public.

And it was a big night for the hit TV show all round, with One True Voice securing second spot and the Cheeky Girls - famously rejected by the show's panel of judges - at number three.

The Walsh family spent last night at the glitzy after show party in the capital and were today due to head back to Bradford.

Kimberley has been given two weeks off from the rigours of pop stardom to enjoy a Christmas at home, before moving back to her new London home in the new year.

"We need to take this time when we go home to just let everything sink in," said Kimberley.

Her mum added: "I am just so proud of her, of what she has achieved, and of how she has handled it all. I am so delighted that she is going to be doing what she has always dreamed of."