HATTIE Briggs, Stroud based singer songwriter, released her debut album, Red & Gold earlier this month. It reached Number 2 on the Amazon Folk Chart on release day, and then made it to Number 1. It also made it into the Pop Chart at number 60.

The album was given a 5 star review by Simon Redley at the Maverick Magazine, who wrote: "A truly lovely voice, and a lovely lovely album. Probably filed under folk, but will appeal to a much wider audience and should gain Hattie mainstream radio action”.

And from Andy Fyfe of Q: "Classy, classic-sounding debut - those who find her will be richly rewarded". Both Dan Cassidy, brother of Eva, and Alec Dankworth, son of Johnny, are featured on the album, which was produced by Peter Waterman.

Hattie is currently on a 25 gig support tour with Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman - elder brother of Seth. They are past winners of the BBC Folk Award Best Duo and this year’s winners of the Spiral Earth Best Duo award. Hattie has a few local gigs coming up - the first is supporting Kathryn and Sean at the Roses, Tewkesbury, on April 29, at 8pm. On May 3, at 10am, she will be playing at the Sub Rooms to launch the Sunday market, and on Bank Holiday Monday, May 4, at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival. Her Fringe Showcase (alongside Melissa James) will be in the main Jazz Arena from 2.30pm - 4pm. For more information and to purchase her CD or order the vinyl version of the album, go to www.hattiebriggs.co.uk.