PENDLE pop band The Rubbish had 'a lovely day' on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal - on a barge driven by TV personality Fred Talbot.

The five-piece group teamed up with the Granada weatherman to shoot a video for their debut single 'It's A Lovely Day.'

The lads, who all live in Fife Street, Nelson, reached the ears of the nation last week when their single was played on Radio One.

The band comprises former Milltown Brothers keyboard player Barney Williams, 25, singer Bruce Thomas, 24, guitarist Biff Hartley, 22, bassist Nick Hudson, 22, and Chris Precious, 23, on drums.

Weatherman Fred swapped his famous woolly jumper for a sailor's suit to drive the band along the canal near Barnoldswick.

Radio One DJ Kevin Greening gave The Rubbish's single national air play after the band e-mailed it to him. He played their upbeat summer anthem as a jingle every day last week on the lunchtime programme, where he was standing in for fellow disc jockey Jo Wiley. Last month Radio One DJ Chris Moyles joked about the group's name and plugged their show at the Good Night Club, in Nelson. The single, on Roundway Records, is set for release in late August.

The band started as a fun project after the lads became disillusioned with the music business, but now seems to be spiralling into something bigger.

Bruce Thomas said: "We all decided to get good jobs and make plenty of money for ourselves in the real world. But the band has started to take off and we're getting carried along with the buzz."

The band share the top of the bill at the Bands In The Park free festival in Queens Park, Burnley, with funk rock outfit A-Jay And The Maya.

The Rubbish have also confirmed a showcase gig at London's King's Head, Fulham, on August 21, and are running a coach for fans. Call Bruce on 0976 748465 for details.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.