ROSSENDALE opera star Sean Ruane is to feature on a unique souvenir CD to mark England's glorious Ashes triumph.

The tenor, who sang the national Cricket team's adopted anthem Jerusalem before vital summer Tests against Australia, has now recorded a special rendition for the album.

The Greatest Ashes Test Series Ever has been commissioned by series sponsors Npower and will feature two versions of the popular hymn that helped inspire captain Michael Vaughan's team to victory.

On the first track Sean has been backed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, while the second is a recording of the live performance he gave during the England team's celebrations in Trafalgar Square.

But the exclusive CD won't be available to the general public just yet.

Sean, who returns to Bacup for two concerts in December, explained: "There was a lot of talk about producing a single just after the series finished but at the moment that is just talk.

"We have been asked to produce this CD by Npower. They want 30,000 copies to use as a memento of the series.

"There remains a possibility that an official single backed by the English Cricket Board may follow. I'm keeping my fingers crossed."