THERE was a long pause before Kevin Simm answered what appeared to be a very simple question.

Eventually, after considerable umming and ahhing and buying for time, he said: "There have been so many high points in the last year, it's hard to pick just one. We've had a number one single, sold 500,000 copies of our first album, got to go to places like Australia. It's been fantastic."

And as a result of Thursday night, Kevin has a new high point to add to his list of memories -- winning a coveted Brit Award with his band Liberty X. Their song Just A Little took the title of Best Single.

As Kevin and his fellow band members walked on to the stage at Earl's Court to collect their award, it was the moment that Liberty X completed their journey from original flopstars to best-loved popstars.

Liberty X was formed by five talented singers who were rejected by the TV talent show Popstars, the programme which eventually spawned the group Hearsay.

Kevin said: "To attend something like the Brits was absolutely great. To win an award was something we hadn't dare dream about.

"A Brit award means a lot to us because it has been voted for by the people who matter most, our fans."

But it was an appearance on a different stage back in December which made Kevin realise just how far he had come.

He said: "We were sent out to perform in front of the British troops on duty in Bosnia at Christmas. When we were on stage, I looked at all of those blokes and had nothing but respect for them.

"At around the time of Popstars, I had just about had enough of trying to get a break in singing but not getting anywhere and was about to join the army.

"My mum talked me out of it and I went on to Popstars. I've always said that was the most important conversation I've ever had."

Kevin was just 21 when he appeared on Popstars and was living at Abbey Village.

He said: "I'd have been no good as a soldier, I'd have been useless. I also wouldn't have like the idea of going to war, which is hanging over them. They do a brilliant job and I am not sure I could do that."

Kevin does have a steely determination to do the right thing.

It was such a quality which led him and his fellow Popstars cast-offs to reject several record deals thrown at them after losing on the top-watched TV programme.

Kevin said: "We could have signed up to any number of record labels, but we knew what we wanted our style to be and we wanted to write our own songs."

Next month sees the release of their new single, Being Nobody, as well as a tour which will take in Manchester and Liverpool.

Kevin said: "I'm looking forward to going out on tour and seeing the fans. It's not going to be one of those shows where we run around dancing all night, it is very much about the music.

"It will also give me the chance to get back home and see my family."

Kevin's parents, Bernadette and Stephen, have given up the Royal Hotel in Abbey Village and moved back to Leyland, where Kevin grew up.

Kevin said: "I don't get to see them half as much as I like to which is why I will be straight back there when I can. It is strange because I do now get recognised when I go out now, and I suppose it could get frustrating, but without the fans where would we be?"

Despite the Brit Awards success, Kevin has no intention of sitting back and wallowing in the glory.

He said: "It's a really busy time for us. As well as the tour and the single, we want to work on the new album.

"We just try to keep our feet on the ground and get on with things. I'm having the best time of my life, I'm so glad I didn't go into the army now!"