Sharkey will take charge of a project to establish a network of rehearsal studios throughout the UK. The move addresses the lack of affordable rehearsal studios and equipment available to young bands and musicians.

He was asked to join the project by the British Culture Secretary, James Purnell, who announced the new initiatve in the House of Commons on Monday.

Sharkey hopes to secure the help of key music industry figures, local and regional government, equipment suppliers and others to set up the network.

The Undertones' guitarist and songwriter John O'Neill helped found a similar project, the Nerve Centre, in the band's native Derry.