INDIE BAND TO RELEASE MANDELA SONG

Archbishop Tutu had heard some of Manchester indie group International One's music and contacted them inviting them to record a song for Mr Mandela's birthday, a spokesman for the band said.

They are joined by members of the London African Gospel Choir and the Vox Choir on the single Inyaniso - meaning "the truth", which is to be released digitally on July 18, Mr Mandela's birthday.

Writer and frontman of International One, John Blaylock said of the song: "It was written taking some of the language of Mandela and the more modern words that come from our generation.

"We hope to engage the listeners by telling a story; the story of one man reaching many."

The band said that proceeds from the single will be given to Mr Mandela's HIV/Aids charity 46664.

The single will be launched on Mr Mandela's birthday with a live performance on social networking sites Bebo, Facebook, MySpace and Friction TV.