FORMER Bliss girls Abigail Jackson and Laura Heyworth promised they'd be back -- and this week the pair remained true to their word, appearing at radio roadshows across the region.

Both girls left Bliss earlier this year, after enjoying a two-year whirlwind success story with third member Marie Atkinson, during which they were catapulted from the pub scene to performing alongside Steps at Wembley.

But just days after the show with the chart toppers, Laura and Abigail quit the group, claiming they wanted a change in musical direction and more creative input into their work.

Now, seven months on and with a batch of new material, fresh dance routines and a new wardrobe, the girls are back.

A gig in St Helens last night -- under the temporary name of Laura and Abigail -- kicked off a weekend of radio roadshows in Merseyside.

Original Bliss member Marie, now alongside new singers and a live band, was due to perform at Blackburn's Arts in the Park today. Performing a short set of just two tracks, Abigail and Laura have been mixing an original R and B number called What I Want with a cover of the Eurythmics classic Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves. Blackburn-based songwriter Bernard O'Toole has been working with the girls on their material, with What I Want, being the first of several original tracks to be recorded.

Laura said: "The new stuff is sounding really good.

"We've had a lot of input into the songs, especially with the lyrics, and we're really pleased with the results.

"Now we just want to get out there and see what people think.

"We're not nervous about the performances.

"We just want see how people will react to the new songs."

They've re-worked the Eurythmics cover to give it a more funky flavour and Laura is quick to point out that upbeat numbers will be included in their show.

She said: "We won't be doing any slushy or cheesy stuff and there are definitely going to be uptempo tracks with a beat that people can get up and dance to." Abigail said: "It seems like we've been away for ages but it takes time to get things right.

"People haven't seen much of us but we've been working every week on the band and now things have gelled together nicely.

"It really feels like a fresh start for us and we're ready to go."