By Craig Smith

TOP POP group Girls Aloud brought Kirkcaldy’s Mercat Shopping Centre to a standstill yesterday as they officially opened a new HMV store.

The girls are on a whistle-stop tour of the country to promote their new album Chemistry, released on Monday.

But the five—Kimberley Walsh, Cheryl Tweedy, Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding and Nicola Roberts—took time out of their busy schedule to sign autographs and meet fans.

The group made history in 2002 by winning the Popstars: The Rivals reality TV show and then immediately took their first single, Sound Of The Underground, to the Christmas number one slot.

While other fan-made groups have faltered, Girls Aloud have had a meteoric rise to fame and their chart hits have included Love Machineand Biology.

The girls also recorded last year’s Children in Need anthem andhope to take this year’s Christmas number one with new release See The Day.

Despite their rivals for the coveted chart position including Westlife, who are also managed by the girls’ own svengali Louis Walsh, and the winner of the X Factor TV talent contest, the girls are still hopeful.

Sarah said, “It’d be nice to think we can do it again. It was great to do it first time around but whatever happens, we’ve had a great year and we’re looking forward to going home for Christmas and New Year.”

Nadine added, “There’s loads of good songs out there but we’ll give it a go.

“It’s been like that from day one.”

The girls believe their new album is a major departure for them.

“We’re really, really pleased with the album and we think it’s the best one we’ve done so far,” Nadine said.

“It’s great that we’ve had a good response from the critics but it’s always nice when you hear more of what the fans think.

“Their opinions are far more important.”

Kimberley added, “I think it’s always difficult because we always want to try and better what we’ve already done.

“This album’s a bit more mature for us but we hope the fans like it.”

Security was tight for the girls’ visit.

Customers queued at the store throughout Monday to gain a wristband which would secure a place at yesterday’s event.

Among the fans waiting to see the girls was five-year-old Erin Graham, accompanied by her parents Paul and Melissa and stepmother Kirsty Williamson.

Erin suffers from a debilitating illness which has left her in a wheelchair, but Kirsty said, “She responds well to music and lights and she absolutely loves Girls Aloud.

“It’s great that she’s getting the chance to meet them as things like this don’t usually happen in Kirkcaldy.”

Another pair of fans, 15-year-olds Kelly Mallin and Robyn Newlands, from St Andrews High, got up early to see the celebrities.

Kelly said, “I couldn’t wait to meet them and we’ve been here since 9.30 to get to the front of the queue.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing them all.”

After the event, the band rushed to Glasgow to open another store.