AN EXMOUTH mum is calling on music enthusiasts to forget about the X Factor winners’ single and vote for her son in the race to be Christmas number one.

Beverley Palmer, of Trefusis Terrace, is appealing for the town’s community to download her son’s latest single, called My Favourite Time of Year, from iTunes.

Professional composer Leigh Haggerwood has fulfilled a lifelong dream to record a festive song which he produced together with the help of 36 musicians.

A proud Beverley said: “All his family are hopeful that he can be number one. The song has made it onto a number of radio station playlists now which is great.

“He has paid for everything himself out of his lifetime’s savings.”

Leigh produced the single last August on an independent basis without the support of any UK record company.

He booked eight days at Trevor Horn’s studio, where Band Aid was recorded.

In an equally impressive feat, Beverley added: “Gary Barlow and Robbie Williams had recorded in the same studio a week before Leigh did his.

“I’m really proud of what he has achieved. All we need to do now is encourage as many people as possible to download the record.”

There is a Victorian-themed video to accompany My Favourite Time of Year which a number of Leigh’s relatives appeared in.

Speaking about his decision to produce the song, Leigh said: “In July 2010, I said to myself that I wanted to create the first real Christmas song in years because like most people, I’m fed up with the charts being dominated by the X Factor.

“I set out to create something that would match the old classics.

“I wrote My Favourite Time of Year in 2007 but the UK record companies would not compete with the X Factor so I decided to make it happen myself this year.”

To view the video, visit the following website address at: www.florinstreet.com