X Factor star Ella Henderson a hit at Shrewsbury's Buttermarket

Ella, who came fifth in last year's ITV1 talent show, was the latest in a growing line of contestants from the show to take to the stage at the Buttermarket.

The 16-year-old gave a 20-minute performance at the club, on Howard Street, on Saturday night, including many of the hits she had sung during the live ITV shows.

She ended her set with the emotional self-penned song Missed, which wowed the judges at her first audition.

Her performance also included a rousing rendition of Valerie, The Zutons' song made famous by Amy Winehouse.

After the show, the young singer spent nearly an hour posing for photographs with fans and signing autographs.

Afterwards Ella said she had really enjoyed the show in Shrewsbury and would be keen to return to Shropshire for another if she gets the chance.

"I absolutely loved it, the people here are amazing," she said.

"In my dressing room I could hear the buzz from outside, it was really, really lovely. I've had such a warm welcome.

"I haven't been to Shropshire before. I've got family who live in Cheshire so its nearabouts, but I haven't been for years and years and this is the first time I have been to Shrewsbury, so this is lovely.

"I would love to come back in the future," she added.

The singer will now embark on the X Factor tour until March, but said she would also be recording.

"I'm in the studio. I've started writing and co-writing and meeting people as well," she said.

"I won't give too much away but at the end of March I will probably be hidden away in the studio absorbed by music ready for a big surprise in the summer."

Ella, who recently bagged a record deal with Sony, took part in an hour-long meet and greet with fans after her set.

Her appearance followed shows by fellow contestants Rylan Clark, boyband Union J, runner-up Jahmene Douglas and winner James Arthur over Christmas.

And X Factor fever is set to continue in Shropshire when boyband Union J return to the Buttermarket on Friday night.

The group needed a police escort to leave when they were mobbed by their teenage fans after last month's performance.

Meanwhile, club bosses have also announced that two more X Factor groups will take to the stage for a double bill gig on Saturday, January 19.

Boyband District 3 and urban group MK1 will entertain the crowds at the Buttermarket, and tickets are currently on sale for the show.

Gig-goer Nicky Brown, 25, from Shrewsbury, praised Ella's performance on Saturday.

She said: "She has an amazing voice and the song she wrote herself was incredible."

Before Ella took to the stage, the crowd was warmed-up by Max Milner, who appeared on BBC One's talent show The Voice last year.

Ella took to Twitter after her performance to thank the fans who turned out to see her in Shrewsbury.

"Amazing crowd tonight!" she wrote on the website. Thank u soooo much to everyone who made tonight special," she told her 630,000 followers.

She said that she loved Shropshire and thanked staff at The Buttermarket for the welcome she was given.

Nearly 1,000 people turned out to watch Ella Henderson's performance at the Buttermarket on Saturday.

The venue's owner Martin Monahan praised the family atmosphere at the gig.

He said: "I thought it was awesome performance and it was nice to see so many young people as well as older people.

"The mix was really good and there was just under 1,000 people there.

"Ella was an absolute delight and she played a longer set."

He added: "These X Factor gigs have really put the Buttermarket on the map and there is still more to come."

By Catherine Ferris