A COUNTRY balled written by a Great Sankey man has come second in a national song-writing contest.

A Tissue Full of Tears by John Rushton came second in the country music category of the UK Songwriting Contest.

The song has already proved popular with audiences at his gigs although he is currently taking a break, apart from doing occasional charity work, until around November because of arthritis in his knees.

John, from Bevan Close, who performs under the stage name Mel Russell, said he was thrilled' at the news and that it would inspire him to keep on playing and performing.

The 67-year-old has been a singer since he was 14 and his last regular job was working as an area controller for the retail store What Everyone Wants'.

He entered four songs into the competition, three in the country category and one in the jazz and blues section, and was up against more than 5,000 entries.

Two of the songs go to the semi finals and one was highly commended.

He entered the competition after seeing the details in a country music magazine.