THE man who produced albums by rock legends Status Quo has helped a group of Worcester students release a CD that has hit the shelves of high street shops.

Pip Williams produced one of the 13 tracks on the new CD - made by three soloists and 10 bands from Worcester College of Technology - after visiting the Deansway college to give advice to students hoping to make a career in the music industry.

Seventy music technology and production students spent the last 18 months putting the tunes together, with 100 from the two courses also involved in marketing the CD and selecting tracks.

The compilation CD, called Allsorts... Of Music, features an eclectic mix of music from electronic and metal to indie rock and African styles, including city "pop and roll" band And What Will Be Left Of Them?, who have toured Europe and are building a solid fan base.

After the CD was put together in the college's music rooms, the marketing department went to work on the artwork.

Eighteen-year-old music production student Martin Whitaker, whose former band Kimber feature, said he was delighted.

He added: "It's great and we're all really pleased we were chosen to go on it as we worked really hard on it."

The release, priced £4.99, is on sale at Worcester stores HMV, in High Street, Cranes Music, New Street; Music City, The Tything; Face The Music, Barbourne; and The Learning Shop, The Cross. It is also available from the college.

HMV manager Lindsay McDermott said: "When I was approached by one of the music students I thought this would be a wonderful initiative to support.

"The finished product is highly professional and not out of place next to our

A-list compilations."

Some of the artists on the CD were due to feature on the college's new radio show for unsigned bands, which started on Wednesday.

Now the students are preparing for several live promotional performances, with the acts Amoeba and The Velvets among those playing at the college's Spires Theatre in Deansway on tomorrow at 7.30pm.

Further concerts will take place on Friday, March 10, and Friday, March 24, and the CD is set to be the first of many.

Music technology tutor Nick Smith said: "Every year we're presented with music which is too good to keep to ourselves and it deserves a wider audience.

"This is better than some of the stuff you're hearing in the charts so it should be out there."