A BOLTON singer is promising to set the world alight with his powerful voice which has been compared to the dulcet tones of Otis Redding.

Johnny Pryers hopes to be snapped-up by a record company following a gig at the Gilnow Arms pub, Deane Road.

The confident 23-year-old, who used to front popular Bolton band The Shakers, has struck out alone and will be performing a mixed set of covers and his own material.

Johnny's solo act is called Double JJ Soul Revolution and the diminutive singer, who lives in Daubhill, has already been compared to Otis Redding.

He said: "I am definitely the best singer in Bolton - there's no doubt about it!

"The last gig I played in September went really well and I'm hoping a record company will be interested as a video company called Sold-Out Productions will be videoing the whole thing for me."

Johnny, who has been singing for six years, combines Northern Soul, Motown, R and B with the Staxx sound.

He got together with session musicians earlier this year in Stoke-On -Trent who had received a Prince's Trust grant for recording, and performed with Diana Ross' and Tina Turner's backing singers.