A CAMPAIGN backed by DJ Stephanie Hirst has been launched to try and save the town centre's only record store.

Struggling Debut Records in the Arcade has pulled out of next month's Record Store Day - an event which would have allowed owner Stuart Sheard to buy in exclusive records not normally available.

He announced the news on Facebook, saying: "I've found it very difficult these past few months, Christmas was a big let down and I've been struggling ever since. I just can't get the funds together for this one day."

He said without his loyal regulars, he would have closed months ago.

But help is at hand. Local bands are planning a special record to raise funds for the store - and DJ Stephanie Hirst has backed the campaign to save it.

Stephanie said: "So many people are getting record players for Christmas now, we need record shops, the last thing I want is to see this place go.

"That's why I'm here, to pay homage to places like Casa Disco, I mean it was like a community."

Stuart said Record Store Day had been a huge success last year but slower trade since means he hasn't the buying power to repeat it this year.

"I'm still going to celebrate record store day in my own way, I just can't afford the vinyls that come with it," said Stuart, 31, of Gateway Plaza.

On the day - April 18 - he will be offering discounted vinyl and live music from local bands.

The Hurriers and The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican have also shown their support with plans to put together an exclusive CD of local bands to raise money for Debut Records.

"I was in the shop just the other day, people should be supporting it," said Scott Heald, also known as Scott Doonican, lead singer of The Bar-Steward Sons.

"To not have a record shop in town would be sacrilege."