A song written by a former Carlisle News & Star reporter is getting regular airplay on Radio One after being picked up by one of its DJs.

Roger Williams's Swallowing Curses, performed by Bolton-based band Merchandise, is being played regularly on Chris Moyles's afternoon show.

Radio stations as far away as Toronto and Amsterdam have also picked up the song.

As a lifelong friend of Merchandise band member Bradley Wood, Roger wrote the lyrics to the single and has said he is pleased it is proving popular.

A former council reporter with the News & Star, Roger left the paper two years ago and is currently travelling around New Zealand.

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