THE East Lancashire member of an up-and-coming music group today reflected on a fortnight of non-stop activity and revealed: "I'm keeping my feet on the ground."

And after an appearance on Top of the Pops and other television shows, a leap into the Top 20 and praise from the toughest critics, it would be easy for Chorley man James Walsh to get carried away.

But James, 20, singer and guitarist with the band Starsailor, has vowed to take it all in his stride.

The group's debut EP, released at the beginning of February and featuring the track Fever, reached a high of number 18.

The three-track release was made up of the demos they recorded to sign the deal.

Their first 'proper' single is due for release within the next couple of months, with work set to begin on an album.

Reflecting on the success of the past few weeks -- which has included considerable airplay on Radio One and joining the New Musical Express nationwide tour -- James said: "It's a little bit worrying and you wonder what the public are going to expect.

"But we have never talked ourselves up and most things that have appeared in print about our music have been pretty accurate.

"It is all about keeping our feet on the ground and that is something I want to continue doing.

"I don't think I will ever shake off my shyness, just that I can cover it up better these days.

"I'm just going to try to remain who I am. I just want to keep it all about the music but I do worry about getting too confident." The group all met after James was spotted singing in a choir at a college in Wigan.

As a group, Starsailor played their first gig in London last April. When they returned in early July, a few days after Glastonbury, record companies were already showing an interest.

That night their gig was seen by a passing NME journalist, who wrote a glowing review in the following week's paper.

Within three months, the band had signed to EMI.

James, a former St Michael's CE High School pupil, who thanked East Lancashire folk for their cynicism which he says pushed them on, hopes their success will impress some people.

He added: "People always used to tell me to get a proper job. But even when Starsailor didn't sound too good, I always knew singing was what I did best.

"I didn't see why I should do something that I couldn't do as well."

The group will perform at the Hop and Grape in Manchester on March 28. Tickets go on sale today.