A TEEN band that lays claim to being one of the largest-ever pop ensembles is releasing its debut single on iTunes.

Some 19 youngsters aged between nine and 16, who make up Dorchester-formed band Pop Club, are preparing to see their music go on worldwide release.

But S Club Juniors they are not – they write their own material and play their own instruments.

Their debut single, to be released at the end of this month, is called Goodbye Mr Casanova and comes with a music video that was filmed in the county town.

Music producer Mickey Wills said: “Someone once said to me that Pop Club is like the Waltons with musical instruments.

“I don’t think there’s anything else around like them.

“The older ones take responsibility and pass on their skills – they’re like a family.”

Members of Pop Club, which was set up in 2003, hail from all over Dorset and meet once a week at Dorchester Arts Centre to rehearse.

The band is part of the ongoing Dorchester Arts project Saturday Live, that aims to engage youngsters in creative musical activities and is funded by Youth Music and the Dorset Youth Opportunities programme.

Lead singer Hattie Crankshaw, 16, of Puddletown, said: “It’s really fun. We all got dressed up and made pretty for the video, it got a bit tiring doing all the re-takes but it was well worth it.”

Thomas Hardye School student Hattie wants to make a career out of the performing arts.

She added: “It’s really special having a single coming out on iTunes. My friends think it’s so cool and my family are really supportive.”

Electric guitarist Tom Alford, 13, of Wool, became involved in Pop Club two years ago.

The Sixties music fan also plays in his own band Bridge with other youngsters in the village.

Poole Grammar School student Tom said: “It was a bit nerve-racking filming the video.

“The idea of it is that more and more people come on stage as the song goes on.

“I had to learn a solo guitar piece for the song. My parents think it’s really good, it’s sort of like modern pop with some blues chords in it.”

Pop club members will be performing at a number of festivals to promote the single over the summer, including the Dorchester Festival in May and the Glastonbury Kids’ Field in June.