IT has been a whirlwind 12 months for British country act The Shires.

The duo - Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes - have seen their second album My Universe become the fastest selling UK country album of all time, reaching number three in the charts. And they also have made history by being the first UK act to sign for leading Nashville-based country music label, the Big Machine Group.

The pair have travelled thousands of miles in recent weeks promoting the album on both sides of the Atlantic and also in Australia and now they are heading out on a major UK tour which comes to Manchester next weekend.

“It has all been a bit hectic recently,” admitted Crissie. “We flew across the Pacific, we turned right and kept going. We went to Australia and then to America and then back home - it’s really cool.”

You get the feeling that Crissie still can’t quite believe everything that has happened to the group who are now at the forefront of a new wave of country music.

“It’s been an amazing journey,” she said. “We can’t believe we get to do what we love every day. We had a top 10 with our first album, Brave and then the new album went into the charts at number three. To get that response from fans is just great.”

What makes The Shires rapid rise all the more remarkable is that Ben really only discovered country music when he met Crissie four years ago.

“It’s all been so fast. Ben has only really known about country music for about four years and in that time it has changed so much,” said Crissie.

“There are so many different styles with country music, there is something for everybody and it seems as though the UK is really embracing it. Country has evolved so much recently and festivals like C2C (held in London in March) highlight the different genres. It’s so exciting, there is so much going on.

“Ben and I come from different backgrounds musically, I’ve loved country for a long time but we’re both just as passionate about it now. We are always telling each other about new artists or songs we’ve heard.”

The Shire’s version of British country has proved to be a popular export.

On their most recent visit to Nashville they were invited to play at the famous Bluebird Cafe.

“It was incredible to play there,” said Crissie. “It was quite scary too because everything is completely stripped back. It’s only small but it has such a heritage. One of the writers we work with said that it’s the Grand Old Opry for songwriters.”

Now the focus is on their biggest tour to date.

“It’s exciting to get back on the road with the boys in the band we’ve been touring with for years,” said Crissie. “We have an extra guitarist this time so there will be more going on on stage.

“Our fans have just been fantastic.

“A lot bring their friends along them who apparently don’t like country music but then they see us and change their minds.

“We know so many of the fans from the shows.

“It’s amazing the time they put in to see us. They will stand and wait to get down the front and it’s so lovely when you get out on stage and see familiar faces smiling back at you. It’s so reassuring.”

The Shires, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, Sunday, December 4. Details from 0161 907 9000