GAZETTE & HERALD: FORMER Boyzone heartthrob Shane Lynch, who is now a committed Christian, is coming to Chippenham next month to tell his remarkable life story.

Mr Lynch, who shot to fame as one fifth of Boyzone in the 1990s will be at the Neeld Hall on March 12. He also won Channel Four's The Games last year and stars in Sky One's Dream Team.

His appearance has been organised by the Rev Ralph Burden, from the Oasis Church, in Chippenham, which was founded last May.

Mr Burden said: "Shane has an outstanding story to tell of his life in the celebrity world.

"His life was almost destroyed by the trappings of a lifestyle ruled by drugs. He became very violent and introverted, and dabbled in the occult before finding Christian faith.

"Shane acknowledges that without the help of close friends, he may not have survived the downward spiral he was in. Shane's story is quite

remarkable and very inspiring

especially to young people."

Mr Lynch will be revealing all about his experiences at the Neeld Hall event, which will take the form or a Parkinson-style interview, with the questions posed by Steve Legg, an entertainer who travels with Mr Lynch.

Numbers are limited so ticket entry is required.

Tickets costing £1 will be available on the door, but to guarantee a place send the correct money and a stamped addressed envelope to 24 The Paddocks, Chippenham, SN15 3DN.

It will not be the first time the singer has visited Wiltshire. In June 2001 he took part in the British GT Championship Race at Castle Combe.

The car he raced, a Marcos Mantis GTO, was built in Westbury.

But Mr Lynch has no connection with Chippenham.

Mr Burden said he had read his life story in a couple of magazine articles and asked him to come and speak in the town.

"We booked him a year ago," said Mr Burden. "He's got a very interesting story to tell and is now a committed Christian, speaking at major conferences. When he's got free time from his other commitments, he does talks like this."