As the contestants get set to do battle in the Eurovision Song Contest, BARRIE HUDSON finds out about the Swindon link with the annual event.

A EUROVISION-winning musician with a Swindon connection has high hopes of tonight's British entry, James Fox, with Hold on to our Love.

Alex Cooper was the founder of and drummer with Katrina and the Waves. As well having as hits such as Walking on Sunshine and Sun Street, the band soared to Eurovision victory in 1997 with Love Shine a Light. They were the last of five British bands to take the accolade, and Love Shine a Light is regarded as a classic song.

The song was written by guitarist Kimberley Rew to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Swindon Samaritans, for whom Alex's brother, William, is a volunteer.

Alex, 51, said: "I think this British entrant is a good singer, a good performer and quite genuine, and I think the song is pretty solid.

"But I don't know what the opposition is like.

"I'm sure he will give a good account of himself.

"Whether he will win or not, I don't know, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if he was in a photo finish!"

Last year, the Evening Advertiser asked Alex for his opinion of Britain's 2003 entry Cry Baby by Liverpool Duo Jemini.

He diplomatically replied that it was not the sort of thing he would listen to but added: "That is of no significance when it comes to whether the song is going to be successful or not.

"It's obviously what the general public have voted for, so I wish it the best of success." The intern-ational panel of Eurovision judges, however, were not so diplomatic and awarded Jemini a resounding: "Nil points."

Alex's 53-year-old Samaritan brother William, who lives in Swindon, recalls how Love Shine a Light came to be written.

He explained that the charity was looking for a song to help celebrate its 30th anniversary, and asked the band because "if you don't ask, you don't get".

Within 10 days, the first version was played down the telephone to him.

This year's Eurovision entrant, James Fox, 27, is best known as a former Fame Academy student. He comes from Bargoed, north of Cardiff.

He will pit Hold on to our Love, a mid-tempo ballad, against 23 other songs at the contest in Istanbul.

What happened in 1997

DURING this week in May 1997:

Tony Blair made his first visit to Northern Ireland and announced the Government would hold talks with Sinn Fein.

Melinda Messenger was the frontrunner in a magazine's poll to find the sexiest woman in the country.

Popstar Mark Morrison was jailed for three months for possessing a 23,000-volt stun gun.

The Spice Girls reached number one in the American album charts with Spice, selling 1.75 million copies in the process.

Top of the charts was You're Not Alone by Olive.

Chelsea's Roberto Di Matteo scored the fastest-ever FA Cup Final goal after 42 seconds against Middlesbrough. Chelsea won 2-0.

Barrie Hudson