SOUL singer Celeste is soaring to stardom and has just won a Brit award for her smoky vocals and her gift for music.

But she wasn’t always famous.

The 25-year-old, who picked up the Rising Star gong at the awards on Tuesday, used to work at a charity shop in her home town of Saltdean.

Staff at the House Project Centre in Longridge Avenue said they were cheering her on as she won.

They remember her fondly. Violet Simpson, 73, who has worked at the shop more 11 years, said: “Celeste used to work with us about nine years ago.

“She was volunteering once a week in her spare time when she was still at college.

“I saw her on telly last night when she won the award. It was brilliant.

“Just to think, she’s gone from working here to winning a Brit.

“It’s great to see someone make something of themselves.”

The House Project Centre is a community shop run by 30 volunteers.

There’s a beauty therapy room, where Violet also runs counselling sessions.

“We help people out,” she said. “We’re a community shop. Everything we make goes back out to the people who live nearby. We help schools, other charities and local causes.

“Everyone pops in, donating and buying stuff. We get mums, kids, teenagers, everyone.

“We’ve even trained dogs to bring their owners in,” joked volunteer Jem Tomposett.

He remembers Celeste as a “really nice girl” who was “very grounded.”

He said: “The thing about Brighton is you can get on to developing yourself as a musician here.

“If you can find something you’re happy doing and make your hobby an occupation, you’re laughing.

Celeste left a good impression – but her biggest legacy comes as a surprise.

“She painted our kitchen wall,” Violet said. “She was very determined. She painted it a shade of burgundy.”

The kitchen is now white but Jem said: “You can still see the bits of red coming through.”

Nobody at the shop remembers Celeste’s powerful vocals, though.

Violet said: “We never heard her sing. We didn’t even realise she could.

“She still wears the same stuff as she did when she was working here.

“Her clothing was very bright and flamboyant and she still wears similar outfits. She came back and visited the shop last year. She hasn’t changed since she became famous.

“What you see now is what we saw. She may be a celebrity, but she’s still grounded.”

In the shop’s store room there are Hoovers, toys, trousers, chargers, boots, mannequins and blenders.

“They’re all safety tested so we don’t blow anyone up,” said Violet.

When Celeste worked here, she was an all rounder.

Violet said: “She was very arty and she used to like doing the displays.

“She used to do clothes, books, tagging, recycling. She just wanted to help.

“She liked to chat and have a bit of a gossip with everyone.”

Everyone seems to know Celeste, from the cashiers in the local Co-op to teenagers in the street.

Back in the clothing aisles of The House Project Centre, shoppers Claire Krasnuik and Gypsy Harfelt said: “We’re proud to have someone from Saltdean winning a Brit. People know her around here.”

And volunteer Jenny Movahedi, 64, said: “Saltdean is something of a hotbed of creativity. It used to be mostly retirement homes. Now it’s a lot more lively.”

In January, Celeste won BBC Music’s Sound of 2020, joining previous winners Adele, Haim and Ellie Goulding.

The singer, whose full name is Celeste Waite, is tipped for great things. She was named “one to watch” for 2020 on countless music industry lists.

Violet said: “She deserves it. We love her music.”