A EUROVISION song contest winner with a Swindon connection has wished the 2003 entrants the best of luck for tonight.

Alex Cooper was the drummer and founder of Katrina and the Waves, whose Love Shine a Light was the last British winner in 1997.

The song was written to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Swindon Samaritans, for whom Alex's brother, William, was and is a volunteer.

The band split in early 1999, and its members, including Alex, are all now involved in helping and promoting up and coming new musical talent.

Cambridge-based Alex said of Britain's entry for Saturday's competition, Cry Baby by Liverpool duo Jemini: "It's obviously what the general public have voted for, so I wish it the best of success."

He confessed it was not the sort of record he personally would buy, but added: "That is of no significance when it comes to whether the song is going to be successful or not."

William Cooper, 52, who lives in Swindon, remembers how Love Shine a Light, which was written by guitarist Kim Rew and used in a publicity campaign at the time, came to be created.

He said: "We asked for a song to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Samaritans in Swindon.

"We asked them because if you don't ask you don't get! Within 10 days I had it played down the phone to me and a tape was then sent. I thought it sounded darned good."

In spite of their Eurovision success, Katrina and the Waves, which was fronted by Katrina Leskanich, remains best known for the 1985 hit Walking on Sunshine, which remains a regular on radio playlists worldwide.

Another major hit was the follow-up, Sun Street, and the band also recorded the original version of Going Down to Liverpool, which was later a hit for The Bangles.

Jemini won through to the final following a televised vote in which more than 100,000 people took part.

The Eurovision Song Contest takes place in Riga, Latvia, in honour of Latvia's victory last year with I Wanna, sung by Marie N.

You can watch the Eurovision Song Contest on BBC1 tonight at 8pm.

THE UK'S EURO SUCCESS

THE Eurovision Song Contest began in 1956.

There have been five winning British entries:

Puppet on a String by Sandie Shaw in 1967.

Boom-Bang-A-Bang by Lulu in 1969.

Save Your Kisses for Me by Brotherhood of Man in 1976.

Making Your Mind Up by Buck's Fizz in 1981.

Love Shine a Light by Katrina and the Waves in 1997.

Britain has come second 15 times and third twice.

One of those runner-up spots went to Cliff Richard's Congratul-ations in 1968, and Cliff also took third place with Power to All Our Friends in 1973.

Britain's tally of wins puts her in equal second place with France and Luxembourg for overall success in the contest, but Ireland has the top spot with seven wins.

However, the only band so far to achieve lasting worldwide fame as a result of a Eurovision appearance was Abba.

The Swedes won in 1974 with Waterloo.