A BAND from East Lancashire are set to support Oasis at the hottest gigs of the year -- only a year after they paid to get in to see the megastars play.

Just over 12 months ago unknown musicians Danny Davidson and Mick Spencer were among thousands of fans who filed into Bolton's Reebok Stadium to see the Gallagher brothers.

Now they and their band The Burn have a six-album deal of their own and are preparing to see them on tour again -- this time as the support act.

The five-piece band have landed the prestigious slot with Oasis as the Mancunians tour to celebrate a decade together, starting in London next month.

Bassist Jay Place said: "It's surreal, it's weird. You're watching them one minute and touring with them the next."

Familiar to millions, Noel and Liam Gallagher have spent the last 10 years at the forefront of British music.

With huge chart success and an explosive relationship, they've seldom been out of the headlines.

Next month the 10th anniversary of Oasis will be marked by a handful of shows at intimate venues -- just like the early days.

When the dates sold out in less than three hours, the tickets became the hottest around and provided the biggest stage yet for one of Blackburn's most promising acts.

Singer and guitarist Mick, 28, said: "Last year we never could have imagined supporting them.

"We've been given a chance people of our age can only dream of."

But the band who were plucked from obscurity by Dave Boyd -- the man who discovered The Verve, Embrace and Gomez -- have adapted quickly to big news.

Their short career has been a story of chance and sheer hard work -- so amazing that, at times, even they find it hard to take in. Getting together just over two years ago, Danny Davidson and Graham Rodgerson, from Feniscowles, Mick Spencer, Jay Place, from Mill Hill, and Livesey-based Lee Walsh spent their early days playing the local pubs and clubs playing cover versions.

Once they'd swapped Who and Jam songs for their own blend of acoustic-driven blues, they quickly made their mark on the local scene.

Winning a battle of the bands competition at King George's Hall, Blackburn, their original laid-back sound was already earning them a growing fanbase.

But things really kicked off when Danny's sister Rachel -- who also manages the group -- put them in touch with Mercury Music Prize winner Badly Drawn Boy, aka Damon Gough.

The former Belmont singer/songwriter let them use his Manchester studio, where they recorded the four-track demo that would change their lives.

Danny said: "It's been amazing but it's not like we're overawed.

"We'll just take it all in our stride."