IF SOMEONE asked how many songs had been written with Harrogate in the title, what would be your response?

The average guess is "two or three", but new research by Mike "Mr Harrogate" Hine reveals that no fewer than 21 songs or musical titles name the North Yorkshire spa town.

Mike retired four years ago from his borough-council post as Harrogate's tourism promotion manager. Now, after much hard work, this collector of music and songs with Harrogate links has compiled a compact disc of every homage to Harrogate that he has located.

Sales of Harrogate In Music & Song will raise funds for the reopened Royal Hall, in keeping with Mike's previous Harrogate album, a compilation of vintage dance bands that appeared at the hall in the 1930s.

"The first album raised enough to cover production costs, and more than £1,500 has been donated towards the costs of buying five memorial seats in the revamped theatre, " says Mike.

Three of the seats honour Frankie Howerd, Roy Castle and Magnus Magnusson, a trio chosen by Mike after he interviewed them as part of his work in the early days of Harrogate Hospital Radio.

He became known as Mr Harrogate through his efforts in extolling the virtues of the town far and wide beyond its boundaries during his time promoting tourism. His love of all things Harrogate has led to the recording of a CD whose song titles include Harrogate Polka; Harrogate Quadrilles; Farewell To Harrogate; Reminiscences Of Harrogate; Arregat Way; Harrogate Cure and Round The Spas You want more? How about I Like To Go To Harrogate; Harrogate Fantasy; Let's Go Down To Harrogate; Harrogate's Here To Stay; Harrogate's The Land's Top Town; Greetings To Harrogate and, wait for it, Where To Stay In Harrogate.

"This cavalcade of music and song starts in 1798 with A Trip To Harrogate, part of a three-tune medley by Joshua Jackson, which mentions Oatlands House, a mansion built around 1800 by Captain Thackwray that is now part of St Aidan's High School, " says Mike.

"The final song comes from 2000: A Tribute To Harrogate was composed by Mari van Gils, then conductor of the Gerwens Muziekkorps from Holland, for the Harrogate Band as a thank-you for fond memories of Harrogate and lasting exchanges between the two groups."

Three titles have so far defied Mike's research. Despite his visits to libraries, record offices and tourist centres, Harrogate College Waltz, Harrogate College Gallop and Harrogate Festival Overture still elude him.

"There may be others out there I'm not aware of, but if you're aware of another song, please let me know, " says Mike, who has been assisted in his album project by musical advisor Neil Richmond and Gareth Harding.

Harrogate In Music & Song is available in a limited edition of 500, priced £10 at the Tourist Information Centre, Royal Baths, Crescent Road, Harrogate, and Pomp & Circumstance, Commercial Street, Harrogate.