The 'Bleeding Love' singer was "overwhelmed" when friends put their money together to sponsor a horse for her 24th birthday on Friday (03.04.09).

A source said: "Leona is besotted with horses. It's a bit pricey to splash out on one of her own so they did the next best thing and donated money to sponsor one for her in Los Angeles. She was overwhelmed by everyone's efforts."

The beauty was thrilled on Friday when her parents, friends and boyfriend Lou Al-Chamaa surprised her by jetting over to the US to help her celebrate the occasion.

After surprising the 'X Factor' winner with her unusual present, they whisked her off to a Thai restaurant.

Meanwhile, the softly-spoken star is being turned into a "feisty" diva after teaming up with producer Timbaland for the follow-up to her debut LP 'Spirit'.

A source said: "Timbaland can't wait to work with Leona and make her feisty like Beyonce Knowles and Rihanna. The ballads will still be there but the tracks will be racier and there'll be dance floor anthems too."

Leona is due to release the new album later this year.