A BOLTON band is back with a new album, tour and music video starring actress Maxine Peake.

Cherry Ghost, which began in 2005 as an alias for solo artist Simon Aldred before morphing into a full band, will hit the road for a six-date UK tour in June.

The former Canon Slade School pupil has also unveiled a black and white video to Clear Skies Ever Closer, the first single from much-anticipated third album Herd Runners.

The video is the directorial debut of Bolton actress Maxine, who also stars in the video with fellow Silk actor Shaun Evans.

Maxine, who went to Westhoughton High School and Canon Slade, said: “I’ve known Simon since sixth form and I am a big fan of Cherry Ghost but bizarrely didn't realise they were one and the same.

“I only found out when Marc Riley told me of the fact before inviting me along to a Cherry Ghost session for BBC Radio 6 Music, which was absolutely stunning.

“So when Simon approached me to direct Clear Skies I hesitated for a second, as I've never directed anything in my life, but I like a challenge and it was just too good an opportunity to pass up.

“I’d bought Beneath the Burning Shoreline, Cherry Ghost’s second album, for Shaun as a birthday present a couple of years ago so I knew he wouldn’t need much arm twisting to take part.

“Clear Skies Ever Closer is such a beautiful and evocative track, it was a real honour to try and represent Simon’s artistry on screen.

“It was a steep learning curve but I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Since the release of Cherry Ghost’s last album in 2010, Simon has been working as a songwriter, helping to nurture talent including Sam Smith, as well as producing a set of electronic love songs under the name Out Cold.

He said: “Exploring different styles has helped my own songs. Musicians need to stretch themselves and keep on learning.”

Herd Runners is released on May 12, on Heavenly Recordings, and Cherry Ghost will play Manchester Cathedral on June 25.