Cheryl Cole immortalised as angel

Cheryl Cole has been immortalised as the iconic Angel of the North to reflect her popularity among the people of the North of England.

Liverpool-based artist Lee Jones said he was inspired to portray the X Factor judge as the landmark after watching her performance on the ITV show.

"As an artist I feel the overwhelming warmth of the Northern people towards Cheryl Cole and I wanted to portray this by depicting her as our very own Angel of the North," he said.

"I see her as a new icon of popular culture for the 21st century, a beacon of light in these bleak times - a fine example of a northern lass making good."

Cole was born in Newcastle near where the actual Angel of the North stands over the A1 in Gateshead. It took four years to make, cost £1 million and is one of the 12 official icons of England.

Jones's version is hand-painted and will be on show in London in February.