A FORMER boy band singer from Brighouse is hoping for a taste of fame.

But ex-vocalist Darren Sweeney is banking on other people's singing talents to help him.

He has invented the world's first portable illuminated microphone.

And he hopes the revolutionary mike could become a favourite with some of the world's top stars.

The product has already been snapped up by Girls Aloud, the UK's biggest girl group.

They will be dazzling fans on their next tour with more than just their voices and dance routines.

The Saber Stand microphone pulses to the beat of the music, making it an integral part of an act's stage show.

Darren's company, Saber FX, is based in North Vale Mills, Brighouse.

It began trading in November last year and so far over 150 stands have been sold in the UK alone. Recording artists in the US and Australia have expressed interest in using the Saber Stand, while companies in the US, Bahrain and Germany are eager to become distributors.

Inventor Darren, 36, formerly with the band Life, said: "The idea for the Saber Stand came from a conversation with a friend.

"As singers, we both felt we could make a feature out of a microphone stand, adding something to a performance on stage and making it more than just a necessary piece of equipment."

Life was a vocal harmony group based in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, and which folded two years ago.

Darren said: "I have been on stage in various acts for the past 18 years and we had a good time with Life.

"We were never in it to be pop superstars, but we made a good living and had fun.

"My love of singing and the stage was a real catalyst in the development of the Saber Stand.

"But being contacted by Girls Aloud was the icing on the cake, making me realise how big this could really be."

Now he is looking for a further £35,000 to help him grow the business. He aims to sell 150 stands every month.

The Saber Stand uses light-emitting diodes technology to create the brightness.

The company hopes to use the same technology to design and create of a range of illuminated clothing for use in the entertainment industry - but with the potential to branch out into the safety clothing market.

Alex McWhirter, head of enterprise at Yorkshire Forward, which is backing the project, said: "Our development agency, West Yorkshire Ventures, has already helped 220 companies into existence.

"The innovative nature of the Saber Stand is proving to be a tremendous success so far and the potential is huge.

"This is another great example of the diversity of firms West Yorkshire Ventures works with."