A GUITAR gadget invented and marketed by three musicians has proved a hit around the world.

Woodies G-Band - a clever single string capo that can be placed on either the top or bottom E string to reach otherwise unobtainable chords - is claimed to have revolutionised song writing and playing.

Invented by Durham guitarist Mr Colin Woodland with the help of former professional drummer Mr Mike Tulloch, from Eggleston, and Mr Jim Tait, guitarist and promoter from Durham, the simple gadget clips on to any guitar neck in seconds.

Given rave reviews in specialist magazines Guitarist, Guitar Buyer and Total Guitar, the G-Band is also proving popular with school music teachers who use it as a teaching aid to help develop future guitarists.

Made from spring steel and coated with silicon rubber, the gadget uses pressure pads placed at strategic angles to open up a new range of chord sounds.

Mr Tait, who was in the original line up of boy/girl band Guys and Dolls before Bruce Forsyth bought the band's name for his daughter, told the D&S Times sales were really hotting up.

"We have only been marketing the G-Band for about four weeks and already we have sold hundreds of them," he said.

"Last week they went on sale over the internet in America and the reaction has been fantastic."

Frustrated at not being able to find a similar gadget for himself despite trawling world web sites, Colin Woodland set about designing one himself.

Fine tuned by his two musical associates, a prototype was sent to other musicians for their opinion.

"Everybody who has used it so far has loved it," added Mr Tait. "We have not had a bad review yet. I've even found out that some world-famous musicians now use it."

The G-Band costs £14.50 including postage and packing and is available from Woodies G-Band, PO Box 306, Durham DH1 1GT, or on the web site www.woodiesgband.co.uk.