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FORMER England hero Stuart Pearce has added his weight to a campaign for British troops abroad run by a local punk band.

Until recently Manchester City boss, England Under21 manager Stuart presented a signed England shirt to Resistance 77 after their stint at the Rebellion festival in Blackpool last weekend.

A shirt signed by the England U21 team which played in this year's European Championships, will be auctioned off with other sporting memorabilia in conjunction with the band's Far Away project, raising money for the Army Benevolent Fund and the families of servicemen.

Singer Oddy says: "We have just returned from the Anti-Fest in the Czech Republic, playing to 3000."

Worth going the extra Yard

NEW compilation album brand Live And Direct launches its first album with a bash at Barnsley's Lucorum bar next week.

It springs out of the independent label Cr2, set up in 2004 by former Credence head honcho Mark Brown.

They chalked up several top 40 singles including The Egg's Walking Away and the biggest dance track of 2006, Fedde Le Grand's Put Your Hands Up For Detroit. For their first foray into the compilation market two pioneering troubadours of the current house scene, Dirty South and Kurd Maverick, have produced "a forward-thinking album".

The George Yard gathering happens on August 26.

Time to take stock of weekend

THE location may mostly still be a secret but you can buy your tickets for Shefstock this weekend.

Three days of music, fun and camping begins tonight and tickets are available from Airy Fairy, London Road, until 5pm for 5 (otherwise 7 on the door, parking 2 a car).

To find out the location, keep an eye on myspace.com/shefstock or call 07506 550 850 until the gates open at 5pm.

Bands playing during Saturday and Sunday include 10-piece French ska band La Casa Bancale, trippy hippy '60s sounds from Mojo & The Beatniks and rising West Yorkshire rockers Cyclone Pink.

Beats all day and night comes from the likes of Riddimtion, Sequoia, Dub Central, Junglist Alliance, Clearance Sale, This Way Up, Camouflage Disco and Industry Street.

There will be children's and healing areas, drumming circle, stalls and food – and the weather forecast is looking good.

Say your hosts, however: "Please note Shefstock is a private members' club and is subject to a membership agreement which you will need to sign when you pay for your annual membership, which gets you a free ticket to our annual gathering."

Broad musical spectrum at pub

AFTER a long period without regular live music one of Sheffield's longest-running venues cranks into life again tonight.

Band booker Andy Fisher's own band Charlie Don't Surf start the new season by setting up at the Abbeydale Road boozer ahead of weekly visits from the likes of punk act Whitewash the following week and gigging regulars Sour Mash, Shrine Of The Monkey, Phil Brodie Band, Rodger and The Unforgiven, Led Zeppelin tribute act No Quarter and a revived Carnival beyond.

To find out who is playing and when, visit the venue website thebroadfield.co.uk