IT all came down to the connection between a hit by Motown legend Edwin Starr and the name of a 1970s band.

With the answer 'War', Barrowford's pop music buff Colin Duerdon got his very own top ten and achieved the ultimate accolade - Radio 2's Popmaster title.

Millions of people were tuned into the cult music quiz on Ken Bruce's mid-morning show to hear Colin get all 10 questions right to win a digital radio - and claim a place in the Popmaster Champions' League which will be decided over Christmas.

But Colin, of May Street, nearly lost it all on the first question.

He said: "The person before me got nine out of 10, so the pressure was on and I had to get all the questions right. The first question was 'Shane Richie had a big hit last Christmas with which Wham song?'.

"I knew the answer but it didn't immediately come to me.

"The adrenaline was running, I was a bit hyper and I could have panicked but I kept calm."

The 47-year-old was pop quiz master at Barrowford's White Bear pub for three years and has been trying to get on the air to face Bruce's musical challenge since Popmaster began five years ago.

A fan of Kristian Leontiou, Joss Stone and this year's Mercury Award winners Franz Ferdinand, Colin's musical taste stretches back through rock to Elvis and the Beatles. He listens to a variety of radio stations including classical and jazz as well as building up his record collection.

The gas engineer said other entrants in the competition have an advantage because they often have links with the music industry or have family to introduce them to new music.

Colin said: "I know I'm capable of running with the best of them, but I live alone and it depends how the questions come out on the day.

"I listen to Popmaster every day and sometimes they ask about a song that's been out recently. If you go out the country for a few days you'll have missed it.

"I was listening on Monday and of the 20 questions they asked I got one wrong, so if I carry on with that form I'll be fine for the Champions' League."