Telford band bids for Christmas song contest victory - with video

But Shropshire country singing duo Craig Bond and Richard Bennett, who form the band Minor Glance, have spent the past fortnight getting their entry just right – and have even produced a music video which has already been viewed hundreds of times online.

The contest is being held by Thomann, a German retailer which the band has ordered musical instruments from in the past.

Mr Bond and Mr Bennett, who have been performing together for four years, could win 500 euros to spend with the company if their entry wins.

The music video for their single, Christmas Day, was filmed around their homes and at Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market.

Train conductor Mr Bennett, 26, of Dawley Bank, Telford, said: "So this started as a bit of fun around two weeks ago.

"Thomann, a musical instrument superstore in Germany announced their annual Christmas song contest and having been satisfied customers in the past, yet not heard about the competition before, we decided to have a go.

"Initially it started as a quick project for a bit of fun, one guitar, one vocal, but as ideas grew, married and developed, it soon became a wonderful journey to create a masterpiece that we are both very proud of.

"From starting with the idea of doing a quick track in half a day, it has taken over our lives for the past two weeks and we have tirelessly worked to get this song created and perfected.

"If we don't win then we won't mind as it has been so much fun doing the whole process. We just want everyone that listens to enjoy and feel happy."

Mr Bond, of Trench Lock, Telford, said: "It's been a great laugh."

The 40-year-old, who runs his own food business, added: "Christmas is supposed to be fun so we wanted to do a fun song, and we left all the outtakes in the video."