FORMER Radcliffe songwriter Martin Isherwood is in the last four for Latvia.

His self-penned funky fast-paced dance track, Cry Baby, has made the finals of the competition to select the UK entry for May's Eurovision Song Contest.

And if the 38-year-old former frontman of local pop group Fictitious Names is successful in March's televised UK finals, his song will fly the flag for Britain at the international event in Latvia.

Martin is head of music at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) and was delighted when Radio 2 listeners chose Cry Baby as one of the four UK finalists.

"I'm very pleased and at last I've calmed down a bit, he said. "To get my song in the final four gives me the same euphoria as going into the next round of the World Cup."

Martin, who was educated at St Mary's Primary School, Radcliffe, and at St Peter's Grammar School, Prestwich, added: "I will be going to London for the televised finals which Terry Wogan will be presenting. The scheduled date is Sunday, March 2. I believe voting will be split into six regions and the result should be announced later that evening."

Cry Baby has been performed by Tricity, male and female duo Gemma Abbey and Chris Crombie.

Martin, who used to live in Park Street, Radcliffe, before leaving the town at the age of 24, revealed this was his fourth attempt at achieving Eurovision glory.

"I've made the final stages three times, but this year is the furthest I've been. I feel Cry Baby is a really strong song which could go all the way."

Despite criticism which has been levelled at the Eurovision Song Contest by other musicians over the years, Martin contends it is a serious business.

"It's a lot of fun, with almost a World Cup atmosphere. To my mind, it's like the Generation Game, but on a galactic level. As far as songwriters are concerned, it's a very serious business proposition.

"People might scoff and say the contest is camp and kitsch, which it is, but those who write for it see it as a serious proposition. We're talking about an event which many, many countries take part in with millions upon millions of viewers watching."

One of the songs which failed to make the final four was Smile, co-written by ex-Bury man Ashley Best (28).