Stephen Sutton single rockets to No.2 in charts
A charity single in memory of Stephen Sutton has shot to number two in the download charts, selling 15,000 copies in less than two days.
The song is battling singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran for the top spot.
Martin Stanyer wrote the track, called Hope Ain't a Bad Thing, for the Staffordshire teenager who died of cancer last month.
To buy the track via iTunes, click here.
The pair worked together at Burntwood's Neon Sound Studios where Stephen rehearsed with his band, Nothing Personal, from the age of 14.
The song was recorded at the studios in Stephen's home town of Burntwood and is currently in second place behind Sheeran's new track Sing.
Mike Newey, who owns the New Road studios with his wife Kate Hoare, said: "We only released the song on Monday evening and within 24 hours thousands of people had downloaded it.
"I thought there would be a lot of people wanting a copy because Stephen inspired so many people, but I didn't expect this at all.
"One thing Stephen always wanted to do was release a single and now we have done it for him. I am sure he would have been really happy with our efforts."
So far the song has raised around £12,000 which will be donated towards the Teenage Cancer Trust.
The track, which features a message from Stephen, is five minutes long and 40 musicians came together to lay down the track.
They spent four days recording and mixing the track under the name of The Neon Brotherhood.
Mr Newey, who has owned the studio for almost 20 years, added: "First we recorded the backing track and then we laid down the drums, vocals and lastly the guitar bits. It was such a lot of fun and everyone had a great time recording it.
"We are all completely overwhelmed by the response we have had from people and have been getting endless messages saying how great the song is.
"I would say it's a little bit like the Feed the World song with everyone coming together to add their different bit to the mix, only this time it is all about Stephen and what he has achieved.
"I hope it will continue to surge up the charts and I am sure we will all be on the edge of our seats on Sunday when the official number one is announced."
The single is available to download on iTunes and Amazon now.
