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RAMSBOTTOM'S X Factor family said they felt like leaving town after their car was vandalised.

The Chawners said they wished they could leave for good after someone keyed' their Toyota Previa.

The family, of Lancaster Avenue, came to public attention after Emma (18) auditioned for ITV talent contest X Factor.

They believe their fame and notoriety led someone to damage the car on Sunday night or Monday morning this week. Emma's dad, Philip (53), said: "People are victimising us because we're fat and because they're jealous about us being on TV. People say that it's us causing the trouble around here but in reality we are the victims, as this shows. It's driving us mad.

"There are six or seven deep scratches cut into the paintwork. It looks like someone started trying to draw the X Factor logo. We really want to get away from here now but we don't have the money to buy a house and the council housing waiting lists are too long."

Both Philip and his wife Audrey are out of work due to ill health. Philip, a former lorry driver, said that ideally the he would like to move to Great Yarmouth - the family's favourite holiday destination.

The Chawners have remained in the media spotlight since they appeared on X Factor last month. The programme's judges rubbished Emma's outfit and her rendition of Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On, but the hairdressing student still dreams of a career on stage.

She has applied to audition for the next series of Britain's Got Talent and she received encouragement last week from former Pop Idol Rik Waller when she met him on the Trisha Goddard chat show.

Emma is also due to appear at Bury nightclub Sol and Viva tomorrow.

6:09pm Thursday 18th October 2007

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