TWO young talent hopefuls, who came close to success on Britain’s got Talent and the X-Factor, have teamed up to fight for a place in the music charts this Christmas.

Singing sensations Sophie Bond, from Winsford, and Paige Philips, from Northwich, are hoping their single “Wishing You a Merry Christmas” can become an instant classic.

As a singer with girl group Be Minor, Paige Phillips, 14, was unlucky to have her hopes dashed when the group left “Britain’s Got Talent” having reached the television stages of the show earlier this year.

Meanwhile, 17-year-old Sophie Bond’s pink hair and country-style voice made her a favourite with X-Factor judge Gary Barlow, before her exit from the competition during boot camp.

But the girls have set aside personal disappointment and put their talents to good use with the backing of Brit award winning producer Chris Potter.

Chris has produced number one albums for artists such as The Verve and The Rolling Stones but was happy to lend his support on the track, from which all proceeds will go to St Luke’s Hospice in Winsford.

Producer Paul Wilkes penned the song before it was recorded in Winsford at the Pollen8 studio, which is run by social enterprise, The Hive.

Sophie, of Pinewood Road, said recording the single was different to anything she has done before.

She added: “I don’t usually like singing with other people but when I was asked to sing with Paige I thought I would give it a go.

“Listening back to it I was amazed out how good it sounds - Paige is an absolutely amazing singer and she is only 14. “ Damon Horrill, founder of The Hive, is now urging people in the area to download the single.

He added: “Sophie and Paige’s voices blend together supremely well and success this Christmas could raise much needed funds whilst giving both these artists a well deserved second shot at stardom.

“Though only a small town, Winsford has a well established creative community and the production of this single has very much been a home grown affair.

“On a week like this it is difficult to say how many we need to sell to get it in to the charts, it may be as a little as 5,000.

“With a big push this week who knows, hopefully we can do it.”

•The single is now available to download on iTunes.