A FORMER X-Factor finalist and a songwriter have teamed up to produce a single which they hope will become a festive hit.

Carl Pemberton, who until recently performed with his brother, Andy, in the Teesside double platinum selling duo Journey South, has recorded a ballad titled Fly Again, penned by Thirsk-based musician Robin Ward.

It follows the pair making it into the charts with their World Cup anthem Hopes Of A Thousand Men last year.

It is Mr Pemberton's debut solo single, following his brother taking a sabbatical from the music industry to concentrate on business interests.

The song, inspired by a story about an Iraqi woman and a soldier forming a relationship against the odds in the war-torn country, is set to be released on Team Midas Records in December.

Mr Ward said: "Hopefully the song will get some attention, but we are putting it out on quite a small label, so it will be difficult against the big boys, but with the power of the internet we will try our best our keep our hopes high."

Mr Pemberton will perform Flying High, which has already been commended by the The Guild of International Songwriters and Composers, for the first time at a fireworks display at Thirsk Racecourse on Saturday, November 7, from 5.30pm.