Bradford pop group Visual Sounds Interactive are being tipped for the top after signing to Richard Branson's Virgin Records.

The four-piece have agreed a deal with the label's dance music offshoot VC Recordings and expect to have their debut single out later this year.

VSI, who feature vocalist Jade, producer and writer Rad and rappers Johnny Lone and Talky, have their own studio in Little Germany, Bradford, where they record all their songs.

VSI have been receiving an enthusiastic response from DJs for their current four-track promotional EP which has been played heavily in clubs and on radio stations.

Their assault on the mainstream pop charts will start with the release of Hey Cinderella as their first VC single in September or October.

Andy Thompson, head of the VC label, which also has chart stars Madison Avenue and Tin Tin Out in its stable, said: "Jade's just fantastic. I was extremely excited, having heard the first few pieces of music from them and going up there and looking round their studio and then getting CDs through the post from Rad and the boys unprompted which were great.

"They're a great talent. It just goes to show that it's not always the biggest shiniest studio that produces the best music.

"Their situation is an example of many dotted around the country where it's the talent of the musicians that shines through rather than the technology."

VSI have also lined up a song called School Daze, based on the theme tune of the children's TV programme Grange Hill, as their second single.

Veteran DJ John Peel also counts among their fans. He met Rad and Jade - who was then aged only 15 - when he filmed in Bradford for a programme about the city's music scene which was broadcast on Channel 4 last year.