RADCLIFFE-born songwriter Martin Isherwood will be proudly flying the flag for the UK in May after achieving the biggest accolade in his pop music career.

His self-penned funky dance track Cry Baby has been chosen as Britain's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest.

And it was fourth time lucky for 38-year-old Martin, whose Eurovision dream has finally come true.

Cry Baby, performed by male and female duo Jemini, beat off three other hopefuls following a tense telephone vote in Sunday's (March 2) televised Song for Europe 2003 programme on BBC 1.

Martin, who is head of music at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, will be making tracks for the contest to be held in Latvia on May 24, by train!

Speaking after Cry Baby emerged victorious following a dramatic four points win over its nearest rival, Martin said: "It's absolutely fantastic to have been chosen as the UK entry. I'm so grateful for all the support I received in the vote, particularly from those in the north, which is my home territory."

Martin, a former frontman with local rock band Fictitious Names, added: "The programme re-introduced the medieval-style torture that is regional voting. I admit I was on tenterhooks until the result was finally announced."

It's going to be a whirlwind few weeks for Martin in the run-up to the Eurovision Song Contest, which will be beamed to millions of homes throughout the continent. There are plans for Cry Baby to be recorded and released within the next few weeks.

"We've already got a spot on Top of the Pops confirmed, as well as an appearance on The National Lottery," he disclosed.

Martin, who used to live in Park Street, Radcliffe, added: "We're also looking at doing an album to co-incide with Eurovision in May. And the single should be in the shops in early May.

"I plan to take the train to Latvia for the contest. It's just that I fancy a train journey through Berlin and Warsaw."

Martin was educated at St Mary's Primary School in his native Radcliffe and at St Peter's Grammar school in Prestwich.

Martin will be hoping to follow in the hallowed footsteps of previous UK successes. Since the event began in 1956, Britain has notched up four outright wins. There was Sandie Shaw's Puppet On a String in 1967, Brotherhood of Man's Save Your Kisses For Me in 1976; Bucks Fizz's Making Your Mind Up in 1981 and Katrina and the Waves' Love Shine a Light in 1997. Lulu's Boom Bang a Bang entry shared the top spot with three others in 1969. The UK has finished second on no less than 15 occasions!