A SINGER who has reached the final stages of boot camp in the ITV X-Factor programme will be performing with his local band to raise money for charity.

Austin Drage, 22, impressed the judges in his audition when he sang End of the Road by Boyz to Men, and broke down in tears when all four members of the celebrity judging panel put him through.

New judge Cheryl Cole said: "We haven't got the best of you yet and if that's not the best I'm excited to see what is."

Simon Cowell said: "I like your determination and I think this competition needs someone like you."

A tearful Austin said after his audition: "I've given it everything I've got. I'm so happy, I feel fantastic."

Austin, from Woodford, will return from filming the ITV show to perform with Loughton-based band the ReVamps, at a charity concert.

He has been singing lead vocals with the rock and roll group for 18 months, before auditioning solo for the X-Factor.

Band member Tim Best, from Loughton, said: "Everyone has wanted to watch Austin's audition on YouTube since the first programme was shown. People love him. I can't tell you much, but he's doing really well in Boot Camp."

He added: "I've known him since he was 13 and he loves music and singing. He's also appeared in films like Snatch with Brad Pitt. We're really rooting for him and hope he does well."

Austin will be joining his other three band members at Loughton Club on Saturday, September 20, to raise money for an orphanage in Luzor and Macmillan Cancer Support.