FORMER Kendal band British Sea Power have continued on their upward trajectory to planet rock with a coveted slot supporting The Strokes on tour.

As the New York City boy's sole support act they will play a series of high-profile gigs across the UK along with a Barcelona booking on December 8.

The booking came about when the original support act Guided By Voices, had to withdraw. Rough Trade Records, the UK label home to both British Sea Power and The Strokes, suggested BSP as a worthy replacement. The men from The Strokes duly appraised debut BSP album, The Decline Of British Sea Power, and then gave them the green light.

It will round off a turbo-boosted year for BSP who have appeared on Later with Jules Holland and also supported the likes of The Flaming Lips, Pulp, Interpol, Clinic and The Copper Family.

Adding further sage to the soup, Oxford band Radiohead recently paid homage to BSP by recommending their CD The Decline Of British Sea Power in an interview on The Mark and Lard Show on BBC Radio 1.

British Sea Power support The Strokes at the Alexandra Palace, London, tonight (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday).