IN the days before Craig David and Artful Dodger it was the record that put Southampton on the musical map.

Now Daily Echo readers have the chance to own a unique piece of the city's heritage and help boost a charity appeal. The Music 4 Life campaign, launched by Oxfam's Portswood Music Store, is on the hunt for vinyl, tapes, CDs and instruments to keep up with demand.

Its latest donation has come from an unlikely former rock n roll star - city councillor Richard Williams. The transport supremo was the brains behind a project that gathered the best bands Southampton had to offer in the post punk new wave era of 1981 - and put them together on the one record.

Its production run was limited to just a thousand copies - but Cllr Williams has offered two to the highest bidder.

Cllr Williams, who was studying geography at Southampton Uni-versity at the time, produced the album City Walls and was interviewed on Radio 1 on its launch.

It was championed by, among others, the station's alternative music guru John Peel and featured in music papers like Melody Maker.

Cllr Williams said: "When it came out, for about a month South-ampton became the centre of the post punk era.

"At the time Southampton had not been on the musical map for a long, long time and the album is part of the city's heritage.

"They are very collectable and of course there's particular local interest."

Pete Fisher, manager at the store in Portswood Road, said he was delighted with the latest donations.

Proceeds from all sales at the shop go to the charity's range of good causes it supports.

Mr Fisher said: "We are really pleased to be given these as there is such a good local link and the fact they are so rare."

To bid for one of the records telephone 023 8055 3719 or e-mail oxfammusic4life@yahoo.co.uk

For details on the campaign telephone 023 8055 3719 or 077 6020 8881or 07814 545 621.