THE BURN have signed a record deal with a star-studded record label Hut records, Pulse can exclusively reveal this week.

The join top indie acts like Embrace, Gomez, Placebo and Richard Ashcroft on the Hut label, which has an enviable track record for developing bands.

The Blackburn five-piece -- Michael Spencer- lead singer, singer/guitarist Danny Davidson, guitarist Graham Rodgerson, bassist Jason Place and drummer Lee Walsh -- formed less than a year ago.

They blasted onto the local scene in March when they won their heat of a battle of the bands competition.

Winning the right to play at the Red Brick Theatre charity night at King George's Hall, Blackburn, the lads had already built a large local following. And after just a handful of low-key local gigs they relocated to Manchester, where they recorded their first demo and the tracks that secured the deal with Hut.

The Burn's sound puts them among the crop of trendy acoustic folk bands currently led by the likes of Twisted Nerve's Alfie and Mercury Music prize winner Badly Drawn Boy. Since Damon Gough took the coverted music award in September the Major labels have been snapping up the best of the new scene's acts.

Last month Richard Branson's V2 won the race to sign the highly-rated Elbow.

But despite joining the industry's big boys, The Burn won't be rushing out any early releases.

A spokesperson for the band said they planned to keep a low profile while they concentrated on rehearsals.

The talented outfit have pledged to remain 100 per cent loyal to Blackburn and continue to gig in the town.

CLIVE LAWRENCE