MERCURY Music Prize winners Franz Ferdinand have one secret - they have a live support drummer, and he comes from Bolton.

Lostock lad Andy Knowles, aged 25, has served as a live support member of the band since 2005.

The former Bolton School pupil began as the sound technician for the Glaswegian foursome before moving to New York to form part of the Fiery Furnaces, a US indie rock band.

After a year in the American capital, he returned to the UK and landed a live set with Franz Ferdinand.

Andy said: "When I returned to Scotland after making the decision to leave the Fiery Furnaces the boys were doing their second album - You Could Have It So Much Better. They needed another person and lo and behold, I was the man. They invited me up and asked me how I felt about joining the band when they tour."

Things escalated musically for Andy when he left Lostock in 2001 to study at the Glasgow School of Art.

Already a budding drummer, keyboardist and guitarist, he bumped into Franz Ferdinand bassist Bob Hardy on campus one day.

The bass guitarist then introduced Andy to the other three members of the band and soon he was working as the guitar and drum technician.

Four years later he was rotating the set schedule with drummer Paul Thomson.

Although now living in London, Andy still has time to reflect on Bolton's music scene.

He said: "I've been away from the Bolton music scene now for so long but I've heard good things. I keep hearing about bands from the area, which is great.

"When I was growing up here there were always little venues for me and Skuta to play - like the Crown and Cushion, Bolton Academy and Hawthorns."

Skuta was Andy's first band which "kicked about for four years" before he left for Glasgow to form I Love Lucy - his second band, who supported Franz Ferdinand during their quieter days.

When Andy is not drumming he is directing films and starring in them.

He is currently working with David Shrigley, a Glasgow-based artist, on a film called London.

For anyone wishing to pursue a career in music, Andy said: "Practise and don't give up. Playing an instrument is not something you're going to be amazing at straight away."

Asked if he will be playing near Bolton anytime soon, he said: "I'd love to play Bolton, I think it would be brilliant."