AJAY Srivaftava is 21 years old. He has written 700 songs over the last five years. And he believes the strength of his music could hold his band together forever.

Ajay, brought up in Accrington, formed his band Ajay And The Maya (left) as a train for his own material just 18 months ago.

They moved from East Lancashire to London to take on the challenge of making it big in the capital. And tomorrow they play their first gig on home soil at Burnley's Bands In The Park festival.

Ajay, who lives with relatives in London and earns his keep from studio session work, said: "Even though the industry is based in London, it's harder to make it here.

"The whole band got together basically because they like the material I write. We have a gameplan for the band but it is about taking the songs somewhere rather than pursuing it for ourselves. The songs are the most important member of the band. If the songs keep coming then this is the sort of band that can last forever." A-Jay And The Maya are also set to perform for BBC TV's cameras at an Asian Mega Mela event at Birmingham NEC later this year.

And they keeping their fingers crossed for a possible Japanese promotion deal which might take them to the Far East.

Also set to play tomorrow's outdoor spectacular in Queens Park are Pendle pop rockers The Rubbish and young Burnley band Caine.

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