IT'S fitting that Atomic Kitten's decision to cover the Bangles' Eternal Flame delivered them another number one single.

Less than a year ago, their candle had nearly spluttered out.

Momentarily dropped by their record company whose patience was wearing thin after an inauspicious start in the world of manufactured pop, the three Liverpool-based teenagers looked likely to go the way of Girl Thing - remember them? - and a host of teen pop hopefuls.

But the success of Whole Again - which made them the first girl group to spend 20 weeks in the Top 40 - and lately, their cover of Eternal Flame, convinced the suits they were a lucrative pop proposition.

And it's a measure of their success that their appearance at the Ross international festival has been postponed while they re-shoot the Whole Again video for the American market.

Their gig now takes place on Sunday, August 26, at 7pm, instead of Wednesday 22.

"We never expected what happened to Whole Again to happen in a millions years," says Natasha Hamilton, who makes up the trio with Liz McLarnon and relative newcomer Jenny Frost, who replaced Kerry Katona after she became pregnant to Westlife member Bryan McFadden.

"It's one of those songs that people can relate to and everybody can sing along with. They have a few beers, put it on the jukebox and sing along," adds Frost.

"One of my friends told me that she was sitting in a pub in Rochdale when it came on the jukebox and there was a little old man sitting at the bar, who must have been not a day under 70. He sat there with his pint of stout and just started singing."

Tickets for the Atomic Kitten gig cost £18 each and can be booked by calling the festival box office on 01989 563330.

Representatives from the pop and rock world at the 12-day festival include Feeder, the Bluetones, A1, Dane Bowers, Van Morrison and Hothouse Flowers.

n The Pulse has two white sleeveless girls' T-shirts (size medium/ 10-12) with I love Atomic Kitten emblazoned on them to give away in our competition draw.

Simply send in your name and address on a postcard to Atomic Kitten competition, Pulse, Evening News, Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JX.

Please ensure your entries arrive by Wednesday, August 22.

The senders first two entries drawn out of the bag will receive each receive a T-shirt.