A Black Country band is revelling in a “mix-up” over its name – which is just one letter away from X Factor winners Little Mix.

Little Minx, led by former Kingswinford teacher Nick Smith, was created four months before the X Factor girl band got their act together.

And he reckons his group will still be performing long after Little Mix are forgotten.

“On the night it was announced that Little Mix had chosen their name, someone gave me a call to say ‘someone’s nicked your name’,” said Nick, the bass guitarist.

“So we registered ourselves as a company, Little Minx UK, just to leave no doubt.

“I must confess we’ve had a few more hits on You Tube since Little Mix were formed and it’s done us no harm at all.”

Nick, of Avon Road, Norton, Stourbridge, who taught science at The Kingswinford School from 1982 to 1990, formed Little Minx with his girlfriend, Steffie Boden, drummer Phil Guest, of Gornal, and guitarist Mark Leedham, from Worcester. Steffie, formerly of Kingswinford, now lives in Bromsgrove. The quartet, who play a blend of reggae ska and jazz, will be performing tomorrow at the Kingfisher in Kidderminster Road, Wall Heath, from 9pm to 2am.

And Nick, who used to be an entertainer in the Gulf state of Qatar, said he is hoping that some of the 1,000 or more pupils he used to teach at The Kingswinford School may pop along to see the show on Friday night

He added: “I predict Little Minx will be around far longer than Little Mix will be.”