SUFFOLK rock star Charlie Simpson has offered to play a series of gigs in fans’ homes as part of an innovative way to fund his first solo album.

The singer and guitarist from Woodbridge has signed up to website Pledge Music while his current band Fightstar take a break.

To fund his new mini solo album, Simpson, who found fame in the pop group Busted, is asking fans to donate money in exchange for once-in-a-lifetime opportunities or pieces of memorabilia.

For �2,000 the former Framlingham College student will play a gig in a fan’s home while for �300 they will get lifetime access to any of his solo shows.

Meanwhile for smaller pledges people will be given signed CDs, their name in the album credits, personalised lyric sheets printed on parchment, signed guitars used in making the record and some pledger-only performances.

Posting on the Pledge Music website, Simpson wrote: “As some of you might have already heard I am just about to embark on making my first solo record while Fightstar take a well-earned break.

“I am incredibly grateful for all the support I have been given from the fans over the past few years and now I have a great opportunity to involve you in the process of making my record, with the help of Pledge Music.

“Not only are these ideas designed to bring us together, they will also give you the chance to get and do some really cool stuff along the way.

“I’m very excited about this new way to connect with you guys – giving you creative ways to get involved in a way that really helps me as an artist and gives you, the fan, something special and something different.”

So far 432 fans have made pledges - which also gives exclusive access to demos, live tracks, rough mixes and videos.

Simpson has also decided to donate a percentage of the profits to Breast Cancer Research - a charity very close to his heart because his mother fought and beat the disease.

He added: “Lastly, as it’s something that has directly affected my family, I’ve decided to donate a percentage of the profits from this Pledge to Breast Cancer Research.”

Simpson left chart-topping Busted in 2005 following a string of multi million selling hits including What I Go To School For, Year 3000 and Crash the Wedding.

For details visit www.pledgemusic.com/projects/charliesimpson.