KNOCKOUT songs which will win the Mercury Music Prize are worth waiting for.

So says Ruth Daniels, who makes up a third of teenager girl band Earl, from Earby, who predict they are just 12 months away from success.

Fans of the group, who have built up a strong reputation locally for their Massive Attack-style songs, will be able to hear them play some of their new work tonight in Blackburn.

Ruth, who makes up the band with sister Fiona and pal Lizzie Evans, has high hopes for their new material.

After all, it has already got them a "band development deal" and the chance to cut a new disc.

Ruth said: "We spent a lot of time in London over the summer and we played one venue twice. The first time we were there, not many people saw us.

"The second time we were still the support act but the venue was heaving, absolutely packed.

"We even got an encore, which is virtually unheard of there, apparently.

"We met a guy from a management company while we were there and he signed us up."

That management deal could, fingers crossed, lead to a record deal next year -- when Fiona finishes her A-levels.

Ruth added: "We are pleased it has worked this way, rather than being forced to record something for release sooner.

"Not only does it give everyone the chance to finish their education, it also means we get get into the studio and record lot of songs and then only pick the very best.

"When we put it all together the boss will take it to the record companies and hopefully one of them will take us on." The trio have already made two trips into the studio, recording 22 songs on the first occasion. Of those, only six are being considered for their album.

A session resulted in a further 16 tracks.

Ruth said: "We have developed in style recently, encompassing a wider variety of influences. We hate albums where all the tracks sound the same.

"We don't want ours to be like that, which is why we are taking our time recording it.

"We just want it to be packed full of killer songs. We want to produce an album which can win the Mercury Music Prize."

You can check out the girls tonight when they perform at the Cellar Bar, Blackburn.

Ruth added: "It is the first gig we have played in Blackburn for a while so it will be good to be back on home soil where a lot of people know us."