A CHARITY single recorded by a mayor has been officially launched with hopes of selling 3,000 copies.

Barry Hunt, the Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, has released his version of Hurry Home recorded alongside the original songwriter, Steve Thompson.

The song, which was an international hit for the group Wavelength in the 80s, will raise money to go towards 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.

He said: “It’s really a quality product. We’re talking about a major hit song from one of our region’s leading song-writers. So many people have worked incredibly hard on this project for our charities and it’s something we’re all incredibly proud of being involved with. The staff at Coatham House and Earthbeat really do fantastic work helping so many people in our area and they deserve our support. Please help them by buying this record.”

Mr Thompson, originally from Consett but now based in the Stockton area, has written songs that have been recorded by Celine Dion, Sheena Easton, Elkie Brooks, The Hollies and Elaine Page.

He said: “It’s been wonderful to be involved in this project and I’d like to thank all our singers, musicians and technicians who have worked so hard for such great causes."

Copies of the single cost £5 and are available from the Mayor’s Office at Redcar and Cleveland Leisure and Community Heart, Reloved, which is Coatham House’s charity shop and café on Redcar High Street, Loftus Town Hall, Destinations café in Saltburn and The Lady Boutique in Guisborough, Bubbles Valeting Redcar and Earthbeat Centre, Saltburn. Alternatively, you can buy it online at steve-thompson.org.uk