Jason Knight got fed up of hearing the same old Christmas records, from Slade to Wizzard to Bing Crosby - so he made his own.

The Christmas Chills album is now going down a storm in shops and restaurants in Brighton and Hove and Jason is hoping for national airplay.

Jason, of Trafalgar Road, Portslade, a keyboardist with the rock band Reef, said: "I was sick and tired of my mum's Christmas album every year. It's all the same.

"People want to hear something different but also something Christmassy.

"Music is so evocative but you don't always want Chris Rea in your ear. So I decided to make my own."

Jason worked with jazz pianist Mark d'Inverno and many other singers and musicians for the album.

Fusing traditional songs such as Winter Wonderland and Mary's Boy Child with new compositions and a laid-back groove, the 32-year-old is sure he has created a Christmas cracker.

He said: "I've given it out to just about every restaurant and boutique in Brighton and Hove.

"When I went round the other day, at least half a dozen were playing it, which is really nice.

"I'm sending a copy to every Radio 2 DJ and apparently they're playing it on Radio Cumbria and British Forces' Radio. I think it's a wicked album. Everyone who has heard it loves it without exception."

Jason's only disappointment was not being able to get one of his favourite songs Little Drummer Boy to work. I just couldn't get it to groove," he explained.

Because so many copies of the album, recorded in his Portslade studio, have been given out free, Jason is yet to make any money from his project but copies are for sale at some independent record stores and on the web site www.christmaschills.com