IT has been described as '45 years too late' by former Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman but prog music finally has its own chart.

The Official Charts Company has set up the monthly Progressive Albums Chart and a former Stockton Heath musician has made the top 10 – alongside Pink Floyd.

Tim Bowness, who grew up in Ackers Lane, is in the number nine slot for his new record, Stupid Things That Mean The World.

The former Appleton Grammar School pupil said: "The new album got in the Rock and Vinyl chart top 10 and was also at the lower end of the mainstream chart.

"But being in the first ever prog chart, which got attention on an international level, was great and has generated more publicity than the other chart placings combined.

"Over the years I've been in indie, prog, rock and dance charts, and for some reason I still can’t fully explain, my debut solo album got in an alt-country top 10 – probably because of the sheer depth of misery in the songs!"

Tim is just below Pink Floyd who are at number eight in the first prog chart with The Endless River.

The 51-year-old added: "I am a huge Pink Floyd fan, so being in any chart with the band is an honour.

"Growing up in the 1970s, my earliest influences were a combination of prog, rock and art pop.

"And I've ended up working with several musicians from bands I grew up listening to such as Robert Fripp, Peter Hammill, Mick Karn and Phil Manzanera.

"The thrill of being a fan of their music has never gone away."

Moving on from the preconception of musicians draped in cloaks, the prog chart is open to any band or artist who pushes the boundaries of music.

Australian band Tame Impala, who formed in 2007, have the number one album with Currents.

Tim, who was born in Latchford, said: "I think it’s good as it’s going to give exposure to bands who otherwise might not get it and it’s going to encourage people to check out more experimental types of music.

"I suspect that it’s because in an era of mainstream music that seems more superficial than previous generations – due to X Factor and The Voice primarily – there are a large chunk of people looking for music that has more depth and mystery than the standard chart fare.

"I like a few new prog bands like Sanguine Hum and jazz prog crossover band Troyka and I think Elbow, Radiohead and Sigur Ros are exceptional bands with progressive elements in their music."

Tim, who attended St Thomas's in Stockton Heath, is also known for his collaborations with Steven Wilson.

The solo artist and frontman of Porcupine Tree is considered an icon of the prog scene and the pair work together as a art rock duo called No-Man.

Tim, who was influenced by Genesis, Van Der Graaf Generator, King Crimson, Led Zeppelin and The Who, added: "I’ve worked with him since he was a teenager, so I know him as a friend as much as a musician. As icon’s go, he’s quite modest.

"He’s been a great collaborator in No Man over the years and also played on my solo album from 2014, which he also mixed.

"In my experience, he’s a great facilitator in that he can expertly help people achieve what they want to achieve.

"No-Man did a tour in 2012 and released a live album around the same time. I still get on well with Steven and we’re in regular contact.

"So although there are no plans to record at the moment, hopefully something will happen before one of us dies!"

No-Man were even once described as 'the most important English group since The Smiths' by Melody Maker music newspaper.

Tim said: "I liked The Smiths, who were very much a one-off, so it was extremely flattering.

"In the early 1990s, there were also some encouraging early articles in the Warrington Guardian and Manchester Evening News so local press was important to us.

"Mark Radcliffe, then at Piccadilly Radio, was also incredibly supportive."

But Tim is currently concentrating on his solo career which constantly reminds him of home.

He added: "One of the guitarists in my live band, Michael Bearpark, was brought up in Lymm and one of the record company people I deal with is from Latchford and we often trade stories about growing up in the area."

- Tim Bowness performs at Band on the Wall in Manchester tomorrow, Tuesday. Visit bandonthewall.org