The next Gareth Gates or Kimberley Walsh could be created if plans for a recording studio in Heckmondwike are given the green light.

A four-strong partnership called Fun Records UK has submitted an application to turn offices in High Street into a recording centre with two live rooms, a main control room and an office.

Peter Earnshaw, one of the quartet, said if successful, the studio would be open to anyone who wanted to make a CD for family or friends, or to club singers keen to get some recordings under their belt and demos released.

"We are trying to cash in on shows like Pop Idol and Fame Academy which are very popular at the moment," said Peter, 35, a professional percussionist and IT manager at Rieter Automotives in Heckmondwike. "We are inspired by Gareth Gates and are hoping the next Gareth will walk through our doors.

"There are a few recording studios in the north of England which are aimed at established musicians. There is nowhere that caters for the man or woman on the street who want to record one or two songs just to say they have done it."

CDs made at the new studio will be professionally produced with a full-colour graphics sleeve.

"We want to make people who would not normally experience a recording studio, feel at ease and enjoy their time behind the mic," said Peter, who admitted opening a studio had been a lifelong ambition.

"In the States in the 50s, there were a lot of places like this and the results would be scratched onto vinyl. Elvis Presley walked into a studio called Sun Records and made a song for his mother's birthday and his career went from there."

"There is a wealth of talent out there waiting to be discovered, as these reality shows have proved."

Another side to the company, Destiny Productions, will cater for the semi-professional or clubland singers.

A decision on the application has been delegated to Kirklees planning officers. If successful, the foursome hope to have the studio open early next year.