Wombles hope to clean up again

The Wombles are bidding for a chart comeback by releasing the tune they performed for the Queen Mother's 100th birthday.

Songwriter Mike Batt, who gave the Wombles a succession of top 10 hits in the 1970s, said he had been flooded with requests from fans ever since the centenary parade earlier this month.

The new single, Wombles on Parade, is released on 2 October.

A 34-track double CD is also planned.

The Womble Collection is likely to include all their hits, including Remember You're A Womble and The Wombling Song.

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Early Beatles for sale

The man who first managed the Beatles has vowed to "tell the real Beatles story" with the launch of a CD chronicling the Fab Four's formative years.

Allan Williams, who managed the budding musicians while they were working at Liverpool's Jaracanda club, has promised to "put the record straight".

The launch of the CD will coincide with the Matthew Street Festival on Monday, when 200 bands and 300,000 music-lovers are expected to converge on Liverpool.

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Williams to narrate Spielberg tale

Robin Williams is taking a small role as the narrator in Spielberg's A.I.

The Oscar-winning star will appear alongside Sixth Sense's Haley Joel Osment and Britain's Jude Law.

His manager also added that Williams has been offered the part of Liberace, but contrary to a report in the US, the actor had not yet committed to the role.

"He was offered it and might end up doing it, but he might also play in the NBA," joked David Steinberg.

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Scorsese gets Italian job

Martin Scorsese is set to direct an epic portrayal of the Italian fashion dynasty Gucci.

Gucci: A House Divided depicts the family's ascent over four generations from peasant farmers to the higher echelons of haute couture.

Most recently, the matriarch of the Gucci dynasty received a lengthy prison sentence for orchestrating the murder of a family member.

Scorsese's previous credits include Goodfellas, Raging Bull and Taxi Driver, which all starred Robert De Niro.