BLACKBURN DJ Leigh Monaghan is making a name for himself in Manchester, working alongside some famous names from the music world.

Leigh - a regular behind the decks at The Woodlands, Jazzy Kex and the Cellar Bar, all in Blackburn - has become an integral part of one of Manchester's most talked-about nights.

The Aftershow at Sankeys is the brainchild of Danny McNamara, singer with Embrace, which combines live music with DJ sets and Leigh, better known on the club circuit as Mono, has been a resident at the Thursday night event since it began five weeks ago.

"I basically heard that Danny was thinking of putting on a night and approached him about becoming part of it," said Mono.

"After chatting to him he asked me to play on the launch night and it's gone from there."

Already Mono has DJ'd before sets by The Magic Numbers, Badly Drawn Boy and The Ting Tings.

On Sunday he will be back at Sankeys as part of Manchester's new music festival In The City, when he will be doing a set with The Sunshine Underground playing live.

"I mainly play indie and electronica but then I'll throw something like Bob Dylan in there," said Mono.

"It's basically my personality coming out in the set.

"So far it's been a really great experience. I never expected that Danny would ask me to play every week but he's been really friendly and supportive."

Mono first began DJ-ing at the North Bar in Blackburn and has played all over East Lancashire.

"There are so many good venues around Blackburn which have allowed me to play and develop my own style," said Mono.

"There is a really good scene around the town now and I still enjoy playing there."

Next Friday Mono will be part of a special Tribal Sessions night at Sankeys when he will be sharing DJ-ing duties with Babyshambles drummer Adam Ficek and others.

"I'm really looking forward to that, it should be a great night," said Mono.

Anyone interested in going to The Aftershow on a Thursday night should email Mono about being put on the guest list.

He also has a limited number of tickets (£10 each) for the Tribal Sessions event next Friday. For details email leigh.monaghan@hotmail.com