VETERAN star of pop music and owner of Berry Hill Recording Studio John David has signed up with a new publisher for his successful song-writing activities.

The three-year deal with Hornall Brothers Music of London, whose stars include Mark Knopfler, Status Quo and Garth Brooks, means John is closer to his work.

He has written hits for Cliff Richard, Status Quo, Shakin' Stevens, Robert Palmer, and many others and says: "Although I really enjoy working with all the artists and bands that come through the studio, song writing is my first love.

"I've been with major companies like Warner Brothers and EMI in America for 30 years now, and I felt it was time to move to a smaller company in the UK whose office is just a two hour drive away, not a long haul flight.

"Hornall Brothers is an independent family run music publisher, that will give me the personal attention I need, to help me to continue to place my songs with artists, films and commercials."

His career began at the age of 14 playing drums in his father's Avalon dance band.

Six years later he met Dave Edmunds and formed the group Love Sculpture, in which John played bass and sang harmonies.

Love Sculpture's instrumental single Sabre Dance was a big hit, reaching the number two spot in the charts in 1969 and leading to several appearances on Top of the Pops.

For John's performance on the disc he was voted one of the top 10 UK bass players by readers of New Musical Express.

The group split later leaving John able to develop songwriting and studio work.

•John says he is always interested in hearing from people with recording projects and can be contacted at http://www.berryhill">www.berryhill

studio.com