POP legends including Inspiral Carpets frontman Tom Hingley and The Fall's Steve Hanley are helping a new generation of musicians to hit the big time.

Students have received song- writing lessons from the cult heroes as part of a popular music course at City College Manchester.

And now three of them, who have set up their own band called Forrest, are performing their first gigs to showcase songs they hope could lead them to superstardom.

The Fall bassist Steve said: "They have good rocking power but are strangely unlike any of the punk acts out at the moment. We'd easily have them as one of our support bands."

Steve and Tom helped the students perfect their tunes in the classroom before their end of year music showcase at Ascension in Oldham Street.

They are now urging other chart-topping bands to take on the youngsters as support acts.

Forrest members Jack Doyle, Jonah Stevenson and Paul Hanley are still reeling from the attention but are now rehearsing "like mad" to perfect their act. Drummer Paul said: "We wouldn't have got together without the course. It's really developed our feel for music, not just our technical ability. Tom and Steve have really helped us too. They've been great."

Tutor Jason Brown said: "I've been in the industry for years and I know a good thing when I see it."

The Inspiral Carpets have re-formed and will play at Glastonbury this weekend. Forrest's next gig will be at Jabez Clegg on Dover Street, Manchester, on July 6.