BOLTON singer Simon Aldred has been nominated for two Ivor Novello songwriting awards.

The man behind the band, Cherry Ghost, has been shortlisted in the Album Award and Best Contemporary Song categories.

His debut album, Thirst For Romance, which reached No 7 in the charts, is up against In Rainbows, by Radiohead, and Man On The Roof, by Stephen Fretwell.

His song People Help The People has been nominated alongside Foundations, by Kate Nash, and Golden Skans, by the Klaxons.

Simon said: "It is always flattering to be nominated for something as respected as these awards.

"I am generally not a big awards person, but it is nice.

"People Help The People I wrote many years ago so I have outgrown it a bit, but it's flattering it has been chosen.

"I am pleased about the album being nominated as it is a body of work as opposed to one song.

"Radiohead's album is ace so it's very flattering to be put alongside that."

The 53rd Ivor Novello Awards, which recognise British songwriters and composers, are announced on Thursday, May 22.