NOT content with having led Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span and The Albion Band, three of the greatest folk rock bands to emanate from these shores, folk supremo Ashley Hutchings is back on the scene, with a brand new band, The Rainbow Chasers.

"I decided to form a group that was a change of direction," said Ashley. "I have found three musicians much younger than me, Jo Hamilton, Ruth Angell and Mark Hutchinson, all of whom I had never worked with before. But at the very first rehearsal, we just gelled beautifully - it was pure magic."

Ashley wound up the Albion Band some three years ago. He said: "We had gone as far as we wanted to go with the band.

"It had reformed many, many times in its lifetime and it was time to call it a day.

"But I wanted to carry on playing - it is my life - and despite the fact that I am in my 60s, I wanted to continue.

"I don't need to play to the galleries any more, the music I make now is on a lighter note, as befits my age."

All four members of The Rainbow Chasers write the songs, described by Ashley as "carefully crafted, beautiful songs. Songs that move people and mean a lot to people."

He added: "I knew I had made the right decision with my career, the very first time the four of us played together. We all sing, it is a vocal group."

Jo plays guitar and viola, Ruth plays guitar and violin, Mark plays guitar, and Ashley bass guitar.

"It is characterised by harmony singing and strings," said Ashley. "I think we are very distinctive and not like any other group around. The Rainbow Chasers has given me a new lease of life."

The Rainbow Chasers play at Salisbury's Studio Theatre in Ashley Road on Friday and at Show of Hands' Abbotsbury summer festival on Saturday, July 7.