JUST as a new batch of publicly assembled popstars are unleashed on to the public, Britain's favourite flop stars are proving you can't beat a bit of good old-fashioned determination.

While the now defunct Hear'Say grabbed the limelight as the winners of the original TV Popstars competition, Liberty X, who were formed out of the ashes of what was left over, have gone on to earn a record deal with Richard Branson's V2 label and are now among pop's hottest properties.

Liberty X head out on the road next year on a major tour which visits Bournemouth Inter-national Centre on March 7 and Portsmouth Guildhall on March 27.

The band have released four top 20 singles - Thinking It Over, Doin' It, Got To Have Your Love and the number one hit Just A Little Bit.

So what made Jessica, Tony, Kevin, Michelle and Kelli carry on after being rejected by Simon Cowell and Pete Waterman?

Kelli says: "We decided to be positive about the whole Popstars experience and just thought, 'Let's go for it,' because we were so strong together and all really got on. It seemed far more natural to stick together than go it alone."

The band have also had success with their debut album, Thinking It Over, which has now received gold disc status and was 90 per cent written by the band. For tickets to the gig at Bournemouth International Centre call 01202 456456 or see them at Portsmouth Guildhall on March 27 (023 9282 4355).