WITH the reputation of the East Lancashire music scene high following the successes of The 'Burn and tompaulin, yet another talented band from the area has been snapped up by a London record company.

Clayton-le-Moors indie boys Maupa may not be the best-known group around but they have agreed a two-album deal with new indie label Necessary Records.

Based in the Albion pub -- which has been their home since their first gig over three year's ago -- the lads are poised to release their debut single in the spring of next year.

An album is due to follow in the summer.

Having worked with Mark Jones in his MJM studio in Oswaldtwistle, since their first demos, the six-piece have already got over half the album recorded.

Speaking about the recordings, lead singer David Boon said: "It was lucky really.

"We just found his number flicking through the phone book. I'd heard he'd worked on the Black Grape album and stuff but it's turned out wicked for us.

"We had a connection from the beginning and he really knows where we're coming from."

But finding and securing the right record deal for the quietly-spoken group has proved a far more difficult process.

Singer Boon, bassist Matt Smithson, drummer Anthony Gibbons, percussionist Adam Bishop and guitarists Paddy Mckeown and Lorcan Moriarty have been attracting interest almost since day one.

A host of labels from the small, true indies to the might of the chequebook-wielding majors visited their Clayton rehearsal rooms, listened to the music, drank the wine and promised the earth.

But for all the talking and drawn-out negotiations, a deal to suit all parties simply never materialised.

And as the phone calls began to dry up the band took a conscious decision to hold out for what they considered to be "the right offer".

Focusing instead on the writing, they continued to work with Mark, with the songs increasing in depth and maturity as their own experience grew.

When the offer to join the growing roster of Necessary records came earlier this year, it wasn't a difficult one for the band to accept.

David said: "It really was an easy decision because I don't mind being skint if we're working and getting records out.

"And we really do have a lot of control over the music."

He added: "Ultimately we want people to hear our records and we want to reach as large an audience as possible.

"But for us the most important thing is the music.

"The one thing we work hard at, is not to sound like anyone else and maybe that's why it takes people a while to get into what we're doing."