SOME of Britain's biggest pop acts cut their teeth performing in East Lancashire before hitting the big time.

Atomic Kitten, Robbie Williams, Louise Nurding, B*Witched ... and the Barndance Boys?

Hundreds of high school pupils around East Lancashire are being treated to the unique sound of the duo, who hail from Chipping in the Ribble Valley, and are being tipped as the next big thing as far as summertime novelty records go.

With their massive papier mach heads, a rapping sheep and several good-looking dancers, the dungeree-clad pair release their single "Yippie-i-Oh" later in the summer.

They appeared at Alder Grange High School in Rawtenstall - as part of a county council campaign to make youngsters more healthy.

In truth, 'Waylon Barndance' is part of a group of musicians who have created some of the most bizarre groups in pop history.

In 1998, he was part of the Cuban Boys group which released a track involving singing hamsters, based on a popular website.

He is originally from the Ribchester area of the Ribble Valley but insists on being interviewed in character.

Waylon said: "We all live in a big barn together making music.

"This is the first time we have been out on the road and we are doing three schools this week.

"It's a great feelgood song that the country is getting behind and it is out on June 16. We are planning a world tour after the album."

The 'It's a Rap' school tour - which was taking in Mount Carmel School in Accrington today then travels to Nelson tomorrow - is backed by Preston-based Rock FM, which secured several acts for the event.

It is an attempt by Lancashire County Council to reach young people on sensitive issues such as sex and relationships, healthy eating, drugs and tobacco and is part of the Healthy Schools programme.

As well as the live performances, children were asked to perform rap music promoting positive, healthy messages.

Soda Club, whose top twenty hits include remixes of Heaven Is A Place On Earth and Take My Breath Away, are also hoping to cause a stir at schools across the county.

They currently have four number one dance mixes in the charts for Simply Red, Atomic Kitten, Blue and Lisa Scott Lee.

John Battersby, Lancashire County Council's teacher adviser on drugs education, said: "The purpose of these events is for all the children to have fun - but to also listen and learn important health messages.

"The idea of the road shows is to promote positive healthy lifestyles.

"The programme address issues such as sex and relationships, teenage pregnancy and drug misuse including alcohol and tobacco. These events are also to celebrate the success of the work already being carried out by the school and community partnership.

"This is a fun way to get across a serious message. They will identify with the music of the bands and the radio station which reaches a wide audience of school-aged young people across Lancashire."