THREE new ballads by a Chorley singer/songwriter are to be the linchpin in a giant Christian Millennium celebration next month.

Churches Together in Lancashire are staging 'That's the Spirit' at Preston North End's Deepdale stadium on Pentecost Sunday -- and the title song is one of three Mike Gannon has written specially.

Mike, who lives in Heath Charnock, is a parishioner of St Joseph's RC Church, Anderton, and was inspired to write spiritual music by appearing in a pageant about St Augustine and St Columba at Hoghton Tower in 1997.

"Obviously it's religious music, but it is music for today that has come out of many years of playing jazz, blues and rock and roll." explained Mike. He added: "God gave me certain talents and I thought it was time to get the spiritual side of me in to words and music in a modern way and pay him back."

When he was contacted by the director of 'That's the Spirit', Margaret Smith, of Clitheroe, who also directed the Hoghton Tower pageant, Mike was well prepared for the task of producing suitable songs for the Pentecost 2000 event.

Mike has been a professional musician for many years, as well as being chairman of the northern branch of the Catholic Stage Guild.

His new music, including 'River of Life', which made its debut at Blackpool's Millennium celebration last December, will be part of his new CD and cassette -- In the Beginning' to be launched at Deepdale.

The album will be available from June 12 direct from Mike Gannon, 179 Chorley Road, Adlington. Lancashire. PR6 9LP or phone 481855.