A MAYOR who swapped the comfort of his office for the freezing streets of Redcar over Christmas has now made his way into the recording studio to sing on a charity single.

Councillor Barry Hunt will be using his vocal skills to re-record international hit – Hurry Home – alongside his friend and the song’s creator Steve Thompson.

Mr Thompson, originally from Consett but now based at Stockton, and his band backed the mayor at the recording at Teesside University’s Phoenix Studios.

A video will then be shot after further studio work and it is expected the single will be released in mid-February.

Money raised will go this year’s chosen Mayoral charities, Redcar’s Coatham House, which provides safe accommodation for young people in housing need, and Earthbeat, a theatre group for adults with learning disabilities. Hurry Home was chosen as it reflects the work done by dedicated staff at Coatham House.

Cllr Hunt, the Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, said: “It’s a song partly about missing home and loneliness, so it’s perfect to raise awareness of the tragedy of homelessness as well as hard cash to help our wonderful charity workers in the fantastic work they do, day in day out. I am more than happy to do whatever it takes in my year as Mayor, and beyond, to help these fantastic causes. So many talented people are giving their time for free and Teesside University is giving us free recording time, so please support the cause and buy what I am sure will be a quality product.”

Mr Thompson has written songs that have been recorded by Celine Dion, Sheena Easton, Elkie Brooks, The Hollies, The Searchers, The Tygers of Pan Tang, Baby Ford, Colin Blunstone, Elaine Page and Chris Farlowe.

He has been touring a new show entitled ‘Steve Thompson Songwriter’ where he and his band perform some of his best known songs. When the show comes to Saltburn Community Theatre on Tuesday, April 4 the Mayor and his singers will join the band onstage for a rendition of his Hurry Home single.

More information at www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk