A MUSICIAN from Smithills is turning his talents to a good cause.

Butterfly, a single by James Holt, is being used to benefit Royal Manchester Children's Hospital Charity.

All proceeds from the sale of the 23-year-old's song will go to charity which is raising funds for a 24-access helipad on location at the hospital's Central Manchester site.

Songwriter James will be officially releasing the track on July 16 at a concert in Manchester supported by other Bolton talent, The Jade Assembly.

James said: "When I'm performing the song people seem to love it and have always been asking if its available to buy.

"I wrote the song about two years ago. It has lots of different meanings to lots of different people. It is about someone who doesn't want someone else to go away but know's they have to go eventually.

"The song was always going to be recorded so it's nice to be able to do something for charity."

James, who has suffered from hearing loss since birth, is currently studying for an MA in music composition at the University of Salford and is professionally trained in piano, guitar and cello.

He self-releases his debut EP, In The face Of It All, in March last year.

EP track — Whatever Happened to John — won praise from legendary producer Brian Eno and also scooped a top award at the 2014 Noise Festival.

Since then he hasn't let up on his hard work, launching his second EP Sanguine on the Rocks on April 29.

"It has had quite a lot of air-play time and exposer," he added.

"My songs have been played on BBC Radio Two, BBC Radio Six and radio stations in Europe and the USA which is really good."

He is currently working on his third EP, recording in Salford and studios around Manchester, and has a busy summer of gigs ahead.

They include the WARP Festival at the Whitworth in Manchester on Sunday followed by Manchester's Whiskey Jar on Tuesday, and on July 25 he will take to the stage during the England versus Pakistan test at Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Butterfly launch gig will take place at Gullivers in Oldham Street with £4 entry and all profits going to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital Charity.

Angela Rowe, Community Fundraising Manager for the charity, added: "It's wonderful that James has decided to support our Children's Hospital through the release of his Butterfly single and charity gig.

"He should be very proud that he is using his love for music to help benefit others by raising as much money as possible towards our charity's Helipad Appeal.

"James is a very talented musician and I encourage everyone to download his brilliant single or to purchase a ticket for his gig!"

To find out more or to purchase a copy of Butterfly visit www.jamesholtmusic.com.