A singer songwriter who grew up in Alsager but who now lives near Sandbach has launched his third album and it has shot to number one in the UK singer songwriter album chart – despite only being launched at the weekend.

Rob Wheeler, who picked up the Songwriter of the Year in the ARC Radio Listener awards 2021 recently has also shot to number five in the USA's equivalent album chart.

Not only that, Rob, who lives in Haslington and is a former pupil of Alsager School, has received already received acclaim for his MidWinter Songs on BBC radio.

The album was only officially launched on Saturday but already BBC's Chris Baxter said he really liked the "folksy" MidWinter Song instrumental and Rob's take on the Bleak Midwinter is "lovely".

Playing tracks across the West in Bristol, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Somerset, Chris Baxter said: "Christmas in New York is very radio friendly, cinematic and cosy! Fabulous tracks."

Rob is delighted with the response so far.

"The album went to number one in the UK singer songwriter album chart and number five in USA. We're all overjoyed," he said.

Rob recorded the album in the recording studio he has built in his garden and is proud of both the music and the artwork for the cover.

His Mum, Julie, an artist, designed the evocative cover and Rob's aim was to recreate happy childhood memories of the amazing Christmases he had as a child.

"Christmas is important for me and I genuinely love it because my mum made it such a special time of year for me as a youngster, said Rob.

"The material sums up my sheer love for Christmas and this incredible time of year. I gave my mum free rein for the cover and she came up with this amazing design.

"The original artwork is hanging in my studio and looks amazing. I am so proud of her and it's brilliant that we've been able to work together on this album."