IF THE year 2000 was the year of Craig David then 2001 could mark the rise of more Southampton singing sensations.

In just 12 months Craig rose from obscurity to be top of the pop charts with hits like Seven Days and Fill Me In

And now, budding boy band 4 Of A Kind hope to match the success of the former Bellemoor School pupil.

The teenagers went to the same school as the superstar and won an annual talent contest there in which Craig finished second two years earlier.

Simon Vitsaiees, 17, from Shirley, said: "We used to see him walking around school singing. "We've always thought that if he can do it, so can we.

"We've been together for about three years now and our style is R'n'B and hip-hop."

Phil Kemish, 17, who hails from Lordswood, said: "Craig is definitely a big influence.

"When I talked to him in school he was always well into it and what he has done gives us something to aim for.

"We just enjoy singing and performing in front of people and we will have to see how far it takes us."

The quartet, who also include brothers Mike, 16, and Anthony Hannides, 13, write their own material and have already had a taste of stardom.

They supported Craig David collaborators The Artful Dodger at a gig in Winchester last summer and starred in a talent show at the London Palladium last month.

Their manager Llewellyn Lloyd said: "They got a standing ovation and were the highlight of the whole show.

"They have enormous talent and potential. We have recorded demos for record labels to see if we can get them signed and then we plan to get a few gigs under our belt and work on a few more tracks."