GETTING to perform with the band who sang the most popular Christmas song of all time was a true Fairytale for a group of Swindon musicians.

Local band The Costellos supported The Pogues at a sold-out event, The Brixton Jamm last night after a mystery fan got in touch with Shane McGowan’s legendary band, famed for their yuletide classic ‘Fairytale of New York’.

A coach load of loyal fans jumped on board a coach and headed into London for the show – desperate not to let the snow stop them from supporting the home-grown talent.

It caps a memorable year for the teenage quintet who sailed through to the latter stages of the nationally syndicated Surface Unsigned competition and played Festival at the Farm and Sugarhill.

The band line-up, led by trumpet wielding Tom Costello, consists of ex-Commonweal School pupils and later bassist Liam Ivens, who became acquainted at New College.

Speaking before the group left for the capital last night, drummer, Ben Guilding, 18, said: “Working with The Pogues is another big step forward for us. We’ve grown up with their music and can’t wait to play on the same bill.

“With a bit of luck we can have a beer with Shane afterwards.”

The genre defying act, who have received domestic and national airplay, have earned praise from fans and critics alike with their spellbinding cocktail of influences. Guitarist Jason Taylor, 17, says their musical brand is the “lovechild of Matt Bellamy and Bob Marley – a psychedelic fusion of rock, ska, reggae and eastern European folk.”

The band describes supporting The Pogues as a dream come true – a poignant tribute following the tragic death of singer Kirsty MacColl in December 2000.

In recent years, Macgowan’s band have fulfilled a series of sell-out tours proving they are still held in the nation’s affections despite never quite recapturing the magic of their 80s heyday.

Swindon has become a hotbed of musical talent in recent years as The Beatbullyz, The Shebeats and, the now disbanded, The Alfonz have hit the airwaves and toured across The UK.

The Costellos are now planning to support Primal Scream in 2011 and tour Slovakia where, bizarrely, the band enjoy a small cult following. Pianist Tom Dickinson said: “It’s strange to look back a year or two and think how far we have come.

“We have worked really hard and it’s nice to gain more recognition and land better gigs”.

The band will be playing at The Furnace on December 28.

For more information on the band and upcoming events, log onto www.myspace.com/the costellomusic.