THE battle for this year's Christmas No 1 single is set to confuse the record-buying public, with Geordie-led rock band The Quireboys releasing the same record as the angelic Choirboys.

Both are signed to Universal, both have made versions of Eric Clapton's Tears In Heaven and both will hit the record shop shelves on December 19.

Lead singer Spike (real name Jonathan Gray), who was born in Low Fell, Gateshead, formed The Quireboys in 1985, and went on to tour with David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Whitesnake and Guns 'n' Roses and released a No 1 debut album.

He said: "We had decided to release the single months ago to raise money for Cancer Research in memory of my father, who died of bone cancer.

"We've got nothing against three little lads aged 11, 12 and 13, but we would like rock music fans to go out and buy our version.

"There's no hard feelings. We have invited them to our forthcoming London gig at the Mean Fiddler. I know they are 12-1 to be Number 1, but I am putting a fiver on us."

Spike, whose band was once managed by Sharon Osbourne, visits the North-East regularly. His mother lives in Haltwhistle, and his sister runs the Crown Inn, near Hexham, both Northumberland.

The Quireboys will play at Redcar Bowl on December 10 before they prepare to conquer the charts.

HMV and William Hill are quoting odds on the winner of TV's X Factor at 2-5 to produce the Christmas chart-topper, followed by Nizlopi's JCB Song at 9-2 and Westlife With Diana Ross's version of When You Tell Me That You Love Me at 9-1. No odds have been given for The Quireboys.