By JOEL SAWYER

POPTASTIC trio DNA will finally stamp their authority on the pop galaxy when they share a stage with chart giants Steps.

DNA made up of Darren Beddard, Aaron Sowerby and Nick Reid will join Pete Waterman's protgs at Wembley on Friday, December 1, Birmingham NEC on December 8, and the MEN Arena on December 20.

The dates are the start of a renaissance for the group Darren and Aaron hailing from Warrington following a patch of management difficulties.

Darren said: "We are looking to release a single in the new year and hopefully an album will follow. We are very excited about the support slot with Steps.

"We've had some management difficulties, but they've been sorted and now we've got some sponsors and things are going really well."

Darren and Aaron are no doubt hoping their budding careers will follow in the footsteps of Warrington's other super-successful pop stars 5ive's Jay Brown and Atomic Kitten's Kerry Katona.

And it is just another example of Warrington's place in the north west music scene.

Multi-million selling and worldwide smash act Radiohead recently staged a gig at Victoria Park a venue which has also played host to indie rockers Pulp.

The Parr Hall is hosting shows by The Waterboys and members of Spandau Ballet in the new year and big steps are also being taken to promote the town's own talent.

Warrington Music Collective last week staged its second Livewire showcase of up-and-coming bands in the Barley Mow pub to a very warm and welcome reception.

Collective member Roy Muscutt, who also plays in one of the town's leading bands frontROOM, said: "The aim of the collective is to promote bands in Warrington and the town's musical identity.

"A lot of bands in the past have tended to hide the fact they are from Warrington because it just wasn't heard of. But the showcase was great because it felt like all our effort had paid off and things are actually happening."