WHEN Oasis' Liam Gallagher described her music as 'cool', 30-year-old Natasha Lea Jones knew she was doing something right.

But the Darwen starlet is striving to hold on to her roots as she heads for the dizzy heights of rock stardom.

The Sudell Road songstress, who plays guitar and piano, was once part of 1990s folky rock duo, Pooka, and is now hoping to make the big time as a solo artist.

Since Pooka got together in 1993, Natasha has made guest appearances and has performed alongside Everything But The Girl, Divine Comedy, Kristin Hersh, The Tindersticks and the Levellers. Pooka even made appearances at the Glastonbury and Phoenix festivals.

Natasha said: "I really want to give something back to this community. Darwen's a lovely place and I really like living here."

In recent times the talented musician has become involved in Darwen Library Theatre productions, sharing her musical skills with the All Across the Arts Creative Writing Group in February.

Wigan-born Natasha moved to Darwen three years ago to be nearer her mother, who has lived in the town for 15 years.

The rising star, described as 'the female Coldplay' by Q Magazine, dropped out of a Nottingham University Fine Arts degree at the age of 21 to pursue a career in music. She said: "It's what I always wanted to do and finally I had the chance. Teachers really encouraged me at school and I was really lucky in that respect."

Pooka appeared on TV and were played on Radio One and on radio stations worldwide.

But the duo were dropped in the mid 1990s by their then agents, Rough Trade. Now Natasha is going it alone, and putting the final touches to her first solo album, thanks to a £2,000 Prince's Trust grant.

The notoriously difficult to please Q Magazine described her music as containing 'biting lyrics and melodies so sweet your teeth are at risk.'

Natasha's first gig will be at The Albion in Clayton-le-Moors this Saturday. For tickets contact 01254 238585. She will also perform at the International Women's Day Festival at 12.30pm-4.30pm on Sunday, March 2, at the Manchester Town Hall.