Two members of Manchester Indie legends The Smiths have become the first artists to release a CD under Blackburn College students' own music label.

As we revealed in March, the college's media centre is now doubling as a professional recording studio, and has attracted over 15 top bands to the venue.

Top music mogul Tom Roberts of Upshot PR, which represents record labels such as Warner and Universal Music, said the excellent facilities and "great value for money" were seeing bands shun London and Manchester for the Blackburn facilities.

For £500 a time the centre offers creative packages which include recording tracks, press shots and graphic designs for album covers.

Belfast band Leya and million-selling US hip-hop artist Jason Mraz are among those to have used the venue but up until now artists had not recorded a CD at the college.

But tonight the college is due to host a special night to celebrate its first CD on the centre's "On Song" label after ex-Smith members Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce's band Vinny Peculiar teamed up with the creative media students to produce their new CD "The Fall and Rise of Vinnie Peculiar."

Rourke and Joyce were will play a live set at the centre in St Paul Street and Mike Joyce will later DJ at Jazzy Keks.