A trio of singing sensations has joined the roster of Swindon stars.

Tommy Trout, Larry Lobster and Cool Catfish are hitting the streets courtesy of local firm Kleeneze.

The company signed the rockpool rockers as part of a £37.6m takeover deal.

But Billy the singing Bass, best known of the hi-tech American novelties and said to be a favourite with the Queen, is not part of the Kleeneze stable.

He is handled by a rival firm, and maybe that's just as well Swindon already has one hit singing act of that name, Billie Piper.

A Kleeneze spokeswoman said today: "I can confirm that Tommy Trout, Larry Lobster and Cool Catfish are part of the agreement.

"It's another accolade for Swindon."

Kleeneze is best known as a home shopping specialist, with representatives distributing catalogues door-to door.

It has just announced its takeover of Dealerfield and Colour Library Direct, firms which sell a variety of goods to customers in their workplaces, using self-contained mobile display units.

Tommy, Larry and Cool were distributed by Dealerfield, so this role has shifted to Swindon.

The creatures, which have sold millions throughout the world, use concealed mechanisms to dance and sing.

Their repertoires include soul classics such as Take Me to the River, easy listening standards such as Angel of the Morning, and quirky 1980s hit Don't Worry, Be Happy.

At shops where they are sold, such as the Purple Gherkin chain which has a branch in Swindon's Havelock Square, customers are stripping the shelves.

The original idea for wall-mounted all-singing, all-dancing fish came from an American couple, Joe and Barbara Pellettieri.

The company they run is rumoured to have become tens of millions of pounds richer as a result.

Their creations can be operated either at the touch of a discreet button or by setting an automatic motion sensor to activate the mechanism.

This works best when the fish are hung on a wall and unsuspecting guests walk past!

Tommy and his friends went on sale early this year, and their fame soon spread. As well as finding favour with the Queen, a Big Mouth Billy Bass is said to have been given to Bill Clinton by Vice President Al Gore.