TWO Ipswich teenagers have sung their way to success in BBC Radio Suffolk's Search for a Star competition –just a year after one of them tried to end her own life because of bullying.

TWO Ipswich teenagers have sung their way to success in BBC Radio Suffolk's Search for a Star competition –just a year after one of them tried to end her own life because of bullying.

Vicki Foster and Heidi Dolan who call themselves Infinity, were voted winners by listeners for their rendition of I Know Him So Well by listeners of the radio station.

News of their success was broken live on air shortly on Friday, although Vicki, 17, was at work at a jewellers in Ipswich at the time, leaving Heidi to hear the news first.

An ecstatic Heidi, 16, wept tears of joy at hearing they had beaten off the other seven finalists to the prize of performing at the Regent at the Children in Need Variety Show later this month.

She told how she had endured years of bullying because she had a good singing voice, but was delighted to win the competition less than a year after trying to take her own life.

Heidi, of Atherton Road, who is studying for A-levels at Chantry High School, is determined to fulfil her ambition of becoming a professional singer.

"The bullying's stopped and they've all been supportive. When I left school at lunchtime to come down to the BBC they were shouting good luck," she said.

"I was so shocked," she said. "I really couldn't believe it.

"There was a lot of talent in the competition and we were all winners."

The radio station received about 50 entries after it announced the competition earlier this year and whittled them down to 15. The shortlisted entrants from all over Suffolk were then invited to formal auditions after which the numbers were cut to eight, and listeners voted for their favourite.

Infinity were finallt named the 'most wanted' live on the afternoon show hosted by Lesley Dolphin and David Webb.

David said: "It was quite a close contest but Heidi and Vicki were clear winners.

"The standard of all the entries was excellent and it shows what a lot of talent there is in the county.

"It's been brilliant. When the winner was announced there were tears streaming down Heidi's face.

"It's just a shame that Vicki couldn't be here as well."

Heidi said: "We want to carry on as Infinity for as long as we can. We'd like to do this professionally. It's the dream for both of us."

Heidi and Vicki will now perform at a special Radio Suffolk Children in Need variety show to be compered by Radio 2 presenter and comedian Don Maclean at the Ipswich Regent on October 31.

Also on the bill will be the Magnets, former New Seekers, Eve Graham and Kevin Finn, comedian Micky Zany, illusionists Chris North and Belinda, the Jelly Rolls, the Ipswich Operatic Society and the Co-op Juniors.

The other finalists were Talisman, from West Suffolk, Gramercey Riffs, from Framlingham, Amanda Gardner, from Ipswich, Kelly Ball, from Ipswich, Victoria Pearce, from Sudbury, Victoria Scott, from Ipswich and Fly 66, from Ipswich.