A pair of musicians have come together to record a song they hope will put a smile on the face of everyone who hears it.

Simon Ewart-Grist and Joanne Arrowsmith recorded Happy People at MJS Studio in Burgess Hill.

Mr Ewart-Grist was inspired to write the song after the war in Iraq started. He decided to record it with Miss Arrowsmith, whom he met through a music web site at the start of the year.

The pair are hoping the tune will prove a smash.

Guitarist Mr Ewart-Grist, of Charlwood Gardens, Burgess Hill, has written 90 songs but reckons Happy People has real potential to be a success.

He said: "It's been described as a tropical pop song with a Jamaican sound. I think it's different, not really like things in the chart.

"The song is saying come on, let's be happy, no matter what else is going on in the world, like war or failing relationships."

The couple are looking for possible recording contracts and opportunities to perform live.

They are also considering a Eurovision bid, for which entries have to be in by the end of November.

But Mr Ewart-Grist, who has been writing songs since he was 16, feels a knock back would be disappointing.

The 46-year-old added: "Once the song is entered you get a letter back saying whether you have made it. If you haven't, it can be very disheartening because it kills it stone dead.

"Sometimes you write something you know is good. That is the case with this, it just has something. It stands out from the other tracks I have written."

Miss Arrowsmith, from Hove, sings alternate verses on the song. The singer-songwriter is pursuing her own career in music.

She said: "It's a catchy feel-good track, people say after they hear it they can't get it out of their heads. I think that is where the Eurovision idea has come from."

Miss Arrowsmith, 23, added: "It isn't the sort of thing you would hear in the charts, although it is pop."

To contact Simon or Joanne, email them at happypeople2b@aol.com