Maximo Park singer Paul Smith is to release his debut solo album on October 11.

The British rocker has revealed the album accidentally came about after he recorded a number of songs with a friend over a four-year period alongside his Maximo Park work.

He explained: "After recording about five or six songs over the course of the last few years I realised I was making an album."

However, the singer insists the release of his first solo record does not spell the end for Maximo Park.

He said: "I'm not going solo - it's not like George Michael leaving Wham!"

Paul's first solo effort - which is to be titled 'Margins' - is co-produced by his close friend Andy Hodson and features contributions from Field Music brothers David and Peter Brewis.