THEY'RE rockin' all over the school in Farnworth - and the teachers could not be happier!

In fact, the teachers are making most of the noise at Harper Green School and Arts College.

The school boasts a successful band which was originally named the Nellie Prendergast and the Boggart Hole Clough Ramblers' Old Boys plc, but is now more affectionately known as Nellie.

Influences range from Chuck Berry and the Beatles to stars of today such as Daniel Powter and KT Tunstall.

The band dates back to 1990, when deputy headteacher Ian Smethurst, a rhythm guitarist, and assistant head Ken Harland, on keyboards, won a talented teacher competition on TV.

The band has changed in format several times since, but the original pair remain. Other long-serving members include head of English Bob Levey, on rhythm guitar, and expressive arts technician Stuart Calderwood on drums.

They have been joined by 19-year-old ex-pupil Amanda Eckersley, on vocals, and friends of the school Rod Swailes, on bass guitar, and Alan Mould, on lead guitar.

Sixteen-year-old pupil Alistair Soutar plays lead guitar, and Chris Phillips, aged 14, plays drums.

Guitarists Andy Nicolls, a former staff member, and his brother Peter complete the line-up.

Mr Smethurst said: "We play anything - rock, soul. . .

"We do lots of covers and aim to go right across the music spectrum, including up-to-date stuff. It all seems to go down well."

The band has spawned off-shoot bands which entertain at events across the borough, including weddings and golf club dances.

Mr Levey is in a group called Menzone, and Mr Calderwood has begun a School of Rock at Harper Green.

Mr Calderwood said: "We started to realise that we do have plenty of musical talent here in the school."

And the drummer, although in his 50s and the oldest of the band, has the best musical pedigree.

He still plays occasionally with members of Sixties' supergroup The Hollies.

"We're all still rockers at heart," he said.