Surgeon John Cullimore is proving as handy with a microphone and guitar as he is with a scalpel.

John, 48, an obstetrician and gynaecological surgeon at Swindon's Great Western Hospital, is thrilled his four-track CD is selling so well.

And now samples of his music are available online.

John went back to his musical roots to make the recording in a bid to raise £8,000 for the maternity ward.

The surgeon who, with his band Under the Knife, produced the CD Smooth Operators, said: "We've had a great response. Lots of my former patients have been in touch to request a copy of the disc.

"Local people have really shown fantastic support for their new hospital and it encouraged me to put my love for music to good use.

"When I was 15, I was in a band and followed that interest through into college in London. We played a few gigs but it took a sideline while I pursued my career.

"The songs are pop ballads. We have been compared to Prefab Sprout and Fleetwood Mac. Virgin Megastore has said it will sell copies of the CD too, so hopefully we will raise even more money."

The songs are proving to be a hit with patients, staff and music loving Swindonians almost £800 has been raised from sales.

The cash will buy a combined foetal monitor, which monitors the well-being of the mother as well as the unborn baby.

The CDs are available for a minimum £5 donation. Cheques should be made payable to Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust Charitable Funds and sent to Natalie Prinsloo, fundraising department, North Swindon District Centre, PO Box 80, Thamesdown Drive, Swindon, SN25 4AN, or call 01793 605635.

Visit www.swindon-marlborough.nhs.uk/fundraising.buythecd.htm for more. To hear samples of the CD visit www.railwaytown.com.