SELF-STYLED Stourbridge musician Ben Coleman who calls himself The Duke of Wollaston is gearing up to launch his debut album.

The Duke, a mild-mannered salesman by day and a self-taught singer/songwriter/guitarist who sings about everything from hot chocolate to unrequited love by night, will be launching his first album Juxtaposed at Sadler's Brewhouse and Bar on the Conyers Trading Estate, Lye, on Wednesday February 15.

Mainly acoustic based, his music ranges from upbeat cheesy pop to dark melancholy numbers.

Ben, who sold his car to buy his first guitar (Tabitha) which he still uses today, has been making music since he was 15, writing songs and playing in various bands; he even once wrote the theme tune to an international TV series - an adventure travelogue programme shown on the Discovery Channel called The Diceman.

But for the last six years the 41-year-old father-of-two has been fashioning himself as a solo artist - performing the odd gig here and there under the moniker The Duke of Wollaston.

So just how did he inherit the title?

He told the News: "I realised there is no current Duke of Wollaston and therefore decided 'see a need, fill a need'. We can't have Wollaston Duke-less now, can we?

"I'm applying the concept of adverse possession which is usually applied to land and roughly states that you can claim ownership of land you've occupied unopposed for ten years.

"I've gone unchallenged by the rightful Duke for six years already (because there isn't one) and so just another four years and I'm home and dry.

"Naturally when I decided to start gigging again, it was the only name to choose to perform under."

Tickets for the album launch gig, which starts at 8pm, are available online from www.ticketsource.co.uk/duke-of-wollaston, priced £5 plus booking fee.

There may be limited tickets available on the night on the door.

Copies of Juxtaposed will be available to buy on the night, priced £8.

Husband and wife duo Canary and the Neverbird, featuring Tom Simm (Clutching at Straws) and his wife Jess, will be the support act.

For more fun facts on The Duke check out www.dukeofwollaston.co.uk or www.facebook.com/dukeofwollaston/