A FORMER music producer and indie-guitar hero turned teacher has helped a North-East band shoot to fame.

Patrick Jordan, 33, is a music technology teacher at Stockton Riverside College but has produced the debut album of up-and-coming folk act Cattle and Cane.

The Thornaby band's album, Home, has entered the UK Top 40 Indie Chart at number 26.

Mr Jordan, from Billingham, said the closing track on the album, (Dancing), was recorded by members of his class who volunteered to experience a day of recording during a live performance at Wynyard Hall.

“It means that five of those students have already been involved in getting a song on an album,” Mr Jordan. “It’s great for the students to get real experience. There are things that happen when you go out to record on location that you just can’t teach.”

A former SRC Bede Sixth Form student himself, Patrick studied music, media and English at the college in Billingham before heading for the University of Manchester. His own sound career started working as an assistant sound engineer to Trevor Horn and Robert Orton at Sarm West Studios in London.

But it was after returning to Teesside and becoming a teacher that he formed indie rock band, Young Rebel Set, with friend, Matt Chipchase. Signed by Ignition Records, the band toured the UK as well as gigging across Europe.

Looking back he said it was a hectic time, teaching by day and then hitting the road with the band on evenings and weekends. Patrick left the group in 2011. He said: “I realised that I preferred a warm recording studio and a cup of tea.”

Thornaby based Cattle and Cane are made up of siblings Joseph, Helen, Fran and Vin and family friend Tom.