FOLK band The Lancashire Hotpots have paid a musical tribute to legendary steeplejack Fred Dibnah.

The group are releasing a music video celebrating the life of the steam engine enthusiast and television personality.

Dibnah, the song, will be out on Friday and the band, known for their comical musings will be on the BBC show Too Much TV, presented by Sara Cox tonight (Monday).

The idea for the song came as the band were recording their new album Nowt Like the Eighties, a play on the "Now" cds title.

Band member Dickie Ticker said the idea for the song was inspired by the post-industrial look of Manchester and the start of Factory Records which led to them thinking of the great Fred Dibnah and they era he was from.

Dickie, whose mum is from Bolton, and who grew up in Little Hulton said: "It is something of a departure from our usual songs because we are known as a comedy band singing about things like fish and chips. Every now and again we do get serious and we do have a list of topics to write a song.

"Fred was a steeplejack in Bolton and he came from a generation where people in the North West made things with their hands and fixed things with their hands. We don't really have chimneys and factories anymore. It is bitter sweet song it has got a lot to it."

Dickie believes there was a little bit of magic around when the lyrics had been written the music to the words was created in one jamming session — the first time that has happened in the band's history.

Video footage captures the time when Fred started appearing on national television.

Dickie said: "When Fred came on the screens – other than on Coronation Street – there was no one with a broad Boltonian accent. He was a working class and genuinely nice bloke. Since posting the video we have had dozens and dozens of comments and no one has a got a bad word to say about his him."

The band were invited on the television show after the song was played on BBC Radio 6 Music by presenter Shaun Keaveny. Dickie said: "This is our first time on national television and it could sky rocket for us —but we do this because we have a really good time on a Saturday night and the audience do as well.

To watch and pre-order the single visit http://thelancashirehotpots.net/news