A YOUNG singer who released a Christmas single to help a friend with muscular dystrophy has managed to reach the top of a music download site.

Talented Charlie Green, whose first single Hands Around the World helped raise money for his schoolfriend Murray Field, who suffers from the condition, achieved his dream of being at the top of the download chart over the festive season where his song was being sold.

The song, which was commissioned by Charlie's father Roger from songwriter Cedric Whitehouse, was about the world as seen through 10-year-old Charlie's eyes - and its release sparked interest from newspapers and TV news broadcasters across the Midlands.

Mr Green said: "Every-body who we have spoken to have said they really like it and Charlie's song certainly did very well on the Audio Lunchbox download site. It was top of the download chart for two weeks and finished up in third place behind those legendary performers, Rose-mary Clooney and Frank Sinatra. Not bad for a debut single."

Due to technical reasons, it is not yet known how many downloads in total have been made or the amount of money they have raised for the charity - but the family are very happy with the results.

Mr Green said: "Over Christmas he did lots of concerts and had a lot of interest in the single. Cedric has already written another single for Charlie called in My World which will be recorded and released shortly." Charlie, of Coppice Way, Droitwich, who started singing before his third birthday and at the age of five performed in a show at the Royal Opera House in York, has already been booked for a number of performances across the country.

He attends the Westacre Middle School in Droit-wich, is an accomplished piano player and enjoys playing football and basketball. Visit Charlie's website www.charliegreenmusic.com