Christine Peck-Russell is about to swap spreadsheets and invoices for tour dates and concerts as she takes on the role of tour manager for an up-and-coming rock band.

Christine, 44, who works as company accountant for a Bradford design firm, confessed she was "bowled over" when she first heard the music of the Norwegian band Pagan's Mind.

So much so that, along with her husband Philip, she travelled hundreds of miles to the band's home town of Skien in Norway to meet them and spend time listening to their music.

While there, she became a mini-celebrity herself and was interviewed by the Norwegian press and TV stations.

"It was incredible. They were so thrilled that we had gone over to meet them," said Christine. "They could not understand what all the fuss was about."

The long-time heavy metal fan, who was a devoted Alice Cooper fan at the age of 11, became a fan after hearing the band's second album, Celestial.

"It belonged to a friend and he was insistent that I listen to it. My heart was completely stolen away by their music," she said.

"I knew I was dealing with world-class musicians who are destined for world-wide fame."

Bradford-born Christine, of Pudsey, felt that she had to bring the power progressive metal band - which has toured in the USA - to the attention of a wider audience.

She said: "I had a burning desire to bring them to the home of heavy metal - the UK. I thought that once the public got to know about their music they would go mad for them."

Since her trip to Norway Christine has taken on the role of president of the Pagan's Mind International Fan Club, and has organised a tour of England, taking in venues in towns and cities including London, Birmingham and Bradford, where they are playing at Rios in Woodhead Road at the end of this month.

Their first appearance was at the Cheltenham Prog Power UK event on Saturday.

Christine is taking time off work to go with them as the band's tour manager.

She said: "To be their tour manager is incredible - I am so thrilled to be involved to this extent, and the band is over the moon."

During their visit to Bradford she also intends to invite the band to her home.

"Even if they just stand on my front lawn it will be enough, just so I can say that they have been," she said.

l Pagan's Mind appear at Rios in Woodhead Road, Bradford on Thursday at 7.30pm.