A DREAM came true for hundreds of Hampshire schoolgirls when chart topping band Busted played live in the school hall - thanks to the Daily Echo.

The band with the two top ten hits appeared at Sholing Technology College, Southampton yesterday after 20 pupils won a competition organised by the Daily Echo and Hampshire-based radio station Power FM.

"Busted! Busted! Busted!" chorused the hordes as teachers ordered the girls back from the stage before the musical teenage trio were mobbed by their adoring fans.

Deafening screams filled the hall as the pop sensation sung hits What I Go to School For and Year 3,000 with band members Charlie, Mattie and James leaping round the stage with their guitars.

The college won the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity thanks to 20 girls from Years nine, ten and 11 who entered the Power FM competition.

Entrants had to e-mail five words printed on different days in the Daily Echo to be entered into a prize draw.

Thousands of entries deluged the radio station's offices but Sholing Technology College were picked for the honour.

Breakfast show presenters Rick Jackson, Rachel Brooks and Maximum Bob hosted the show, honouring Karen Dagwell as the "coolest head teacher in Hampshire" for allowing the performance to go ahead.

Ms Dagwell said: "We managed to keep it quiet until they got to the hall. Their reaction was absolutely unbelievable.

"The students certainly did rise to the occasion. They won't forget this for a very long time."

A handful of lucky ladies also won special Busted rucksacks - including one who was rewarded for throwing her bra at her heroes.

The punky pop trio leapt into the top ten with their hit What I Go to School For last year. Their latest single Year 3000 is currently at number four.