One Direction mania hits Birmingham

X Factor's One Direction told how they are living the dream after bringing a city street to a standstill as they signed copies of their book.

Hundreds of screaming girls, who were queuing up to seven hours, were whipped into a frenzy as they met their idols in Birmingham.

Band members Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson along with Wolverhampton's Liam Payne, met fans and signed copies of their new book One Direction: Forever Young.

It tells how they got together and their experiences on X Factor last year where they came third.

"We are really excited about the release of our book," said 17-year-old Liam, from Bushbury, Wolverhampton.

"It's our first book. It explains the story of coming together as a band."

Liam's fame has rocketed since he appeared on the hit ITV show last year.

But while visiting exotic places and meeting adoring fans has become part of his everyday life, Liam, a former pupil of Wolverhampton's St Peter's Collegiate School, said he would never forget his Black Country routes.

"It's been amazing since we left the show," he said. "We have been to LA and done some recordings in the studio.

"When we were over there we met up with Cher from the show.

"She is over there working. She is a good friend of ours."

But he added: "I've been home to Wolverhampton quite a bit. I was there over Christmas.

"I spend most of my time in London. It's cool being away from home but I do miss it.

"We still get recognised in the street but you just have to keep your head down.

"We've had phone calls from Simon Cowell since leaving the show.

"He's a very busy man but we know we are not at the back of his mind."

The band is currently preparing for the X Factor live tour, which kicks-off at Birmingham's LG Arena on Saturday and finishes in Cardiff on April 10.

Liam said: "Rehearsals for the X Factor tour have all but finished and it starts this weekend.

"They have been great. It has been great seeing everyone from the show again.

"It feels a lot different to when we were on the show. There is no pressure.

"We are going out there to have some fun."

The event at WHSmith in Union Street yesterday was ticketed only, meaning fans who had not planned ahead went home disappointed. But for those who had wrist bands it was an unforgettable experience.

Rebecca Forrester, 16, of Wood Lane in Bushbury, said: "This means so much to me. Liam comes from down the road from me and there has never been anyone famous near us before.

"So to meet him today is very special. I told him we lived in Wood Lane and he said he knew where it was. This is the best day of my life."

Chloe Cartwright, 15, of Clifton Road in Smethwick, drew a pencil picture of Liam on Wednesday night and got him to sign it yesterday. "It was amazing," she said. "I showed him the picture and he loved it.

"He showed the others and said 'how good is that?'. I will put it on my wall."

Albion season ticket holder Kathryn Skidmore, 14, and her friend Katie Griffiths, 14, travelled from their homes in Liverpool after Kathryn's father, from Arden Road in Smethwick, queued for two hours to get them a ticket.

She said: "This means everything. We love Harry. He asked me if I was okay and I could not even speak, I just kept smiling."

The book deal — signed with publishers HarperCollins — comes on top of their £2 million record contract with Simon Cowell.

One Direction came third in last year's X Factor behind winner Matt Cardle and Rebecca Ferguson.

One Direction: Forever Young costs £16.99.