Take the fast track for this Christmas single with a ring of truth

The Christmas No 1. is what all the big stars aim for - whether it's the usual Pop Idol suspects, Mr Blobby or Cliff - and we, the gullible public, get taken in by the hype pumped out by the record promoters.

Now West Country band - The Accelerators - hailing from Haydon Wick and Weston Super Mare are trying to muscle in and have come up with a catchy but down to earth number which they hope will get to the top spot in December.

The Accelerators, right, released their cheeky composition Christmas is a Pain in the Arse last year and managed to achieve a couple of airplays on BBC Radio 2's Johnnie Walker show. It also went down a storm at live gigs.

You won't find the schmaltzy sentiments of other seasonal releases here. Christmas is a Pain in the Arse gives a different slant on the usual ditty, poking gentle fun at the festivities without attempting to offend those of a religious persuasion.

The radio coverage generated numerous telephone calls as well as e-mails from around the world after clips were heard online. The song was listed in the top three Christmas singles of all time on the Radio 2 website.

Having only produced ten copies of the song last year for family and friends, the band decided to take on the musical big guns and market the song big time for Christmas 2003 .

So, if you're going to buy a seasonal single, by-pass the usual boy band product. Give this bunch of 30 to 40 somethings the benefit of your Christmas cash and help them stick one on the big record companies.

Christmas is a Pain in the Arse is available at branches of HMV. The Accelerators, the only band to have a song played on BBC with the word 'arse' in the title are at www.theaccelerators.co.uk