FOUR East Lancashire MPs have thrown their weight behind the British contestant in tomorrow's Eurovision Song Contest in a bid to blank out last year's "nul points" humiliation.

Twelve months ago, Liverpool band Gemini came last without a single mark for their song 'Cry Baby'.

But now MPs Nigel Evans, Peter Pike, Gordon Prentice and Lindsay Hoyle have joined forces with 27 other MPs from all parties to support James Fox and his entry 'Hold Onto Our Love'.

In a Commons Motion they congratulate the youngster, from Wales, for winning the vote to represent the UK.

The MPs say: "We acknowledge that James will be a brilliant ambassador for Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom in the contest and wish him the best of luck on May 15 in Istanbul."

Welsh-born Mr Evans, Tory MP for Ribble Valley, said: "I'm backing him partly because he is Welsh.

"It's fashionable among snobs to mock the Eurovision Song Contest, but a lot of people actually like it.

"When we got 'null points' last year it was a national humiliation.

"I think it's a very good song, very well sung.

"My favourite British entry was Cliff Richard's 'Power to the People' which came third.

"My favourite all-time record was 'Waterloo' by Abba and, if you want to appreciate the importance of the contest, you only have to look at what it did for them and Sweden."

Burnley MP Mr Pike said: "It's easy to mock the contest, but it's an important event for many people.

"Last year's zero score reflected very badly on the country. Music is a big export from Britain and I'm supporting this record because it's a good song which will hopefully take revenge for last year's performance.

"My favourite British entry and winner was 'Puppet on a String' by Sandie Shaw."

Chorley MP Mr Hoyle said: "The competition is important for the image of Britain and British music in Europe. Its all too easy to deride it.

"My favourite British entry was Buck's Fizz' 'Making Your Mind Up'. Overall I suppose the greatest memory is looking back to the glory days of Abba."

Mr Prentice was unavailable to comment.