ASTROLOGER Brian Jackson sees stars of the earthly variety as well as the heavenly type when he casts his predictions.

He provides the horoscopes for pop sensations Simply Red.

From his home in the tiny village of Winewall, near Colne, Brian, 48, looks to the stars and draws up the business horoscopes for the chart-topping band.

And so far his track-record has been very successful.

He advised the group on when to release their single "Fairground" and the album "Life" - and they both promptly raced to the top of the charts.

Brian, who is appropriately known as "Planet" to his friends, explained: "The group have their own business plans and I just them give them advice on timing when they ask for it. "The group know what they want to do and I try to tell them when the best time to do it will be.

"I describe myself as an astrological met man - I let people know whether they will need an umbrella or bermuda shorts.

"Astrology's job is not to tell people what to do but show them what is on the menu and allow them to make their own choices.

"I draw up an astrological map and it is for them to do with as they please - they could choose to take any of several routes.

"They might not always be able to act on what I say but they do always listen and they seem to take it into account - I must be doing something right because they keep coming back to me."

Brian has known Simply Red's manager Elliot Rashman for many years and met Mick Hucknall through him.

He said: "Although they are incredibly successful now, I knew them when they were starving musicians living in unheated flats in Wythenshawe.

"And they haven't forgotten their roots. "They have got their own record label called L'attitude which they use to sign young indie bands to give them a hand and help them get off the ground."

Business astrology is becoming more and more popular and more big businesses are beginning to use it to give them that extra edge.

Brian added: "I hate the idea that it is all based on magic and mysticism because nothing could be further from the truth.

"I believe that when used properly it can be an aid to all people."

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