Brothers Ian and Paul Wills, of Meanwood, are hoping that their song Yorkshire – an upbeat, feelgood rocker which extols the proud virtues of our county – will be adopted as the White Rose's No 1 anthem for Yorkshire Day on August 1.

Stirring

While acknowledging the traditional Ilkley Moor Baht 'At, the brothers feel that their stirring song, with its catchy, singalong chorus, will appeal to Yorkshire folk from all walks of life.

Yorkshire Cricket Club have already caught on to the song, using it on their website as a backing track to video highlights of their matches, and have also played it to stir up vocal support at their 20/20 games.

The CD is available at the club's shop at their Headingley ground, and Leeds stores Crash Records on The Headrow, Hellraiser at Kirkgate and Jumbo Records at St John's Centre.

Leeds Rhinos have also expressed their interest in the CD, which is perhaps an ideal means of undermining any sporting opponents unlucky enough not to be from our county.

The driving vocals are supplied by Ian, 23, who wrote the song, while the pounding backing beat is provided by Paul, 21. Both are members of Leeds punk rock band The Loose Chippings.

Ian, who has written about 20 other songs, said: "It came about one sunny day when I was sat on Otley Chevin enjoying a few cans of lager. I looked around at all the beautiful surroundings and the song just came out.

"The first time we performed it live was at the Primrose pub in Meanwood. We were top of the bill that night, but didn't get on until about 11. 30pm, by which time there were only about 10 people left in the room. But as soon as we got to the chorus they were all up dancing, and that included a few elderly people as well. Then some folk from the other bar came through and they all joined in.

"We've performed it in quite a few pubs and clubs in Leeds since, and the reaction has always been fantastic. It's the greatest feeling in the world to be up there playing while people young and old are dancing and enjoying themselves below you."

Modernistic

"I've never really heard Ilkley Moor Bah't At properly, but this is certainly a more modernistic song about the county – and absolutely ideal for sporting crowds in Yorkshire to sing along to," said drummer Paul, who last year banged in 38 goals for Leeds Combination League Division One side Leeds City Rovers.

Ian, a land surveyor with a Headingley-based company, added: "I was working near Goole next to the River Ouse last week when I picked up a four-leaf clover. Within seconds my mobile phone went off and it was Yorkshire Cricket Club asking me if they could use the CD. They told me that peope were dancing around the offices to it."

The song was recorded at Mook Studios in Meanwood under difficult circumstances – the two other Loose Chippings' members having left the band some time before. This meant that Ian had to lay down the bass, rhythm and soaring lead guitar passages by himself, while Paul supplied the beat.

Meanwhile their father, Darryl, and two other friends – Nick Dawson and Mike Patterson – helped with the chorus line. The song lasts for nearly five minutes with a surprise piece of improvisation at the end.

"We're still up for performing live anywhere," added Ian, "and we'll have a full band!"

Yorkshire by Ian Wills
The Loose Chippings can be contacted on www.myspace.com/theloose chippings

The County of the White Rose is where I live,
It's got so much to offer, got so much to give,
With skies of blue and fields of green,
It's as real as it gets but it feels like a dream,
Unspoilt beauty is all around me.
So easy to come by such a pleasure to see,
I sit up on the Chevin I'm drinking a crate,
I'm so far from the anger, so far from the hate.

Chorus;

Yo-or-or-orkshire, I'm Yorkshire 'til the day I die,
Yo-or-or-orkshire, I'm Yorkshire 'til the day I die.

Huddersfield, Bradford, the city of steel,
Leeds, York, Donny and Wakey-field,
Scarborough, Brid, Halifax and Barnsley,
You'll never find a finer pint of Tetley,
Take a walk down our cobbled streets,
A flat cap on your head and clogs on your feet,
Listen to the brass band laying down the beat
And say 'ey up love' to everyone you meet.

Chorus:

There's a foreign country that's surrounding us,
It brings us nothing but trouble, nothing but fuss,
Nothing but grief, nothing but strife,
We just want to get on living our lives,
Don't talk to us about what you've got planned,
Don't take a step on our hallowed land,
Don't even bother lending us a hand,
You foreign country known as England,

Chorus: