SHOP superviser Carrie Anderson is taking her first steps on the road to rock stardom.

The 30-year-old is the only female member of Shy And The Fight, a band hotly tipped for success by industry insiders.

Last month the band recorded a session for Adam Walton’s BBC Radio Wales show and have now been asked to support former Mercury Prize-winner Badly Drawn Boy at a gig in Chester.

For Carrie, from Newbridge, Wrexham, it is an entirely unexpected new journey away from the fashion retail career she was pursuing.

Her boyfriend and lead singer, Tom Hyndman, formed Shy And The Fight, and Carrie was the only one without any band experience.

She said: “I got roped in because Tom found my violin and he realised I could play an instrument.”

Band members are now working on material for their debut album, which they hope to complete by the autumn.

Before then they will play for the second time at a three-day coastal Croatian music festival, Stop Making Sense.

The band, whose members also include Tom Wootton, from Rossett, Chris Done and Jackson Almond from Chester and Michael Deponio from Ellesmere Port, have also been approached by fashion chain Jack Wills.

It has bought the rights to use one of their tracks, How To Stop An Imploding Man, for video promotions in store.

Carrie believes the band's attitude and mix of pop and folk music are the secret to their success so far.

She said: “We are all very passionate about what we are doing but we are laid back at the same time. On stage people can see we are having a bit of a laugh and I think they like that.”

Carrie's fashion background as a senior superviser for Jane Norman at Eagles Meadow in Wrexham, is proving an added benefit.

She said: “I follow fashion quite closely and I take that element of my work to the band when we are doing promo pictures or going to gigs.

“I do think about our image a lot.

“Generally we are in something relaxed and comfortable, just like when we are recording our music.”

Visit the band’s website at www.shyandthefight.net.