POP hysteria took hold of a North East music store thanks to the arrival of mega boyband JLS.

Excited fans camped overnight for the chance to come face to face with the former X Factor runners-up who were at Northumberland Street’s HMV store in Newcastle yesterday.

The four-piece, made up of Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes, JB Gill and Oritse Williams, were greeted by hundreds of screaming fans who could not contain their excitement.

Signing copies of their fourth album Evolution, which contains the new single Hottest Girl in the World, the boyband met 600 eager fans who were lucky enough to get a wristband.

Haley Hutton, 20, of North Shields in North Tyneside, was meeting the boys for the fifth time.

“I am very excited. I am a massive JLS fan and Aston is my favourite. This is my fifth time meeting them,” she said.

She was joined by Jenna Barbrook, 19, also of North Shields, who had queued from 6.30am for her wristband to see the band.

“I have seen them loads of times and at every single concert. I am just so excited,” she said.

Young and old declared themselves huge supporters of the hitmakers, and many brought gifts for the boys, including one fan who gave Aston a bottle of ketchup.

But the boyband were prepared for all the gifts and had six boxes ready to collect anything their fans brought along.

Kathryn Sharpe was there with mum Michelle to meet the band for the first time after her older brother queued from 5.30am to secure a wristband.

The 12-year-old from Blakelaw in Newcastle, said: “I have been a fan since X Factor, I am just a massive fan.

“My favourite song is Hold me down and my favourite member is Aston.”

The band, whose hits include Beat Again and Everybody in Love, said they loved being in the North East and meeting all of their fans from the region.

Marvin said: “The reaction is amazing, if we could move up here we would.”

The boys also showed their support for current North East X Factor contestant James Arthur, who hails from Middlesbrough.

Oritse said: “He is my favourite.

“I think James Arthur has an incredible voice and a real, honest vocal and I do not think we have seen an artist like him ever on the X Factor.

“I think he has put something new on the table.”