Singer thanks school for success

Thom has been compared to KT Tunstall and Janis Joplin

Singer Sandi Thom has paid tribute to the Liverpool fame school where she honed her craft after her debut album entered the charts at number one.

The Scottish singer-songwriter studied for a music degree at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (Lipa) before making her name in London.

The 24-year-old, who rose to stardom through a series of widely-debated webcasts, graduated in 2003.

It is the first time a Lipa student has reached the UK chart summit.

Sandi, from Banff in the north of Scotland, said: "For any aspiring performer, going to study at Lipa would be a great thing for your career.

"Coming from a small community in Scotland into such a creative environment, where there were so many like minded people, and to a city like Liverpool with so much musical heritage, was a real key for me."

Anniversary year

The singer also met members of her band in Liverpool - drummer Marcus Bonfanti and guitarist Craig Connet.

She added: "We've been playing together for six years now, throughout Lipa and onwards. We have gone through this incredible experience together.

"I've made it clear that I only want to play with them, and they've said the same. This number one is their success is as much as it is mine."

Sandi Thom was signed by RCA Records after a 21-night webcast from her home in Tooting.

Claims that the series of gigs was in fact part of a marketing campaign devised by record company bosses have been denied.

Lipa is celebrating its 10th anniversary after being co-launched by Sir Paul McCartney in January 1996.