THE war years have been brought back to life by a pop group shooting their first video near York.

Wickerman, a new four-piece band from York and Scarborough, plan to launch their fledgling single to commemorate this year's 60th anniversary of VE Day.

The song - Save Me - deals with the horrific cost of war, both for those who gave their lives and the loved ones they left behind.

To get an authentic feel for their video, the group shot scenes in and around the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington, and at Eden Camp in Malton - which gave access to its First World War trench reconstruction.

The film tells of a wartime love story shot through the First and Second World Wars, as well as the recent conflict in Iraq.

The group - named after the cult horror film starring Christopher Lee and Edward Woodward - describes its sound as "eclectic and melodic".

Managenent company Hard Cheese Management, which is based at Shipton-by-Beningbrough, near York, says the track will be played on MTV's newcomers' slot over the summer. Hard Cheese, which is also producing the video, then hopes to launch it in the shops.

AJ Nikolich, of Hard Cheese, said: "The boys have all got grandfathers who were in the war - and they're all passionate about the subject. That's why they've chosen this particular story."

Band drummer Tom Hudson, 26, of Wigginton Road, York, said he "loved" being in the band - in which his brother, Tim, is lead singer and songwriter.

Hard Cheese Management and Wickerman both formed 18 months ago after husband and wife team David and AJ Nikolich met drummer Tom in a band of which all three were members. Mrs Nikolich said:"We're funding this out of our own pockets - that's how passionate we feel that this single is going to be a success."

Updated: 11:15 Wednesday, February 16, 2005