IF you are one of the most hyped bands of the year, a pub is not the first place you'd think of unveiling your debut album.

That is exactly what happened for next-big-thing group Starsailor last night -- at a backstreet bar in Chorley!

But the nearest fans got to seeing the stars of the indie group was by watching videos accompanying the new album!

More than 100 fans of the four-piece group, fronted by Chorley 21-year-old James Walsh, packed Harry's Bar, St George's Street, for the event.

Starsailor's second proper single -- they have also released an EP of raw material - is out this week, called 'Alcoholic'. Their album, 'Love is Here', follows next month and will be played at a select few venues across the country before being released to the public.

Ivan Lynas, manager of Harry's bar, said: "This is quite an unusual thing. It has never happened here before.

"EMI, whom the group are signed to, rang us and asked if we would like to have a preview evening, playing the album in full in the bar as well as showing several videos of the group.

"We were more than happy to oblige. It generated a lot of interest and we are glad we could take part.

"I think they chose Chorley because James is from here."

Rumours which swept Chorley suggested baby-faced James, a former St Michael's CE High School pupil, would also be in attendance.

But by 10.30pm, and after several repeat plays of the album through the pub's sound system, it became apparent that the rumours were just that...rumours.

His mother, Christine, however, did attend, drawing the winning raffle tickets.