TEEN bombshells TKO are letting nothing stand in their way ahead of their debut single's release later this month -- and that includes the music industry.

The trio of girls from Leigh, who will sell their hi-tempo pop song "Girlfriend" solely on the internet, have found a wealth of brick walls placed in their way by an industry apparently keen to head off competition from the web.

So far leading music channels The Box and MTV have turned down requests to air the band's video -- produced at a cost of £40,000 --and the country's teenage pop magazines have also displayed a lukewarm reception.

But the group -- Katie White, aged 17, Joanne Leeton, 18, and Emma Lally, 17 - are adamant they will make it, pointing to their radio appearances and regional press coverage as proof they are not alone in their belief.

TKO will by-pass the country's music stores by selling their single direct to their fans from September 30.

Their intention was announced to much fanfare four months ago and manager, David White, father of Katie, has bankrolled the group to the tune of more than £130,000.

Yet such a huge outlay combined with less-than-full backing means Mr White is abandoning plans to launch the group's second single via the world wide web.

Instead he will search for a record company to take over the managing of the band immediately following their debut single.

Big players such as Sony are already making noises and songwriter Mike McGannon has approached the band to record an official song for the Rugby World Cup.

Mr White said: "We knew it was going to be hard to break into the music industry in this way but we didn't think it would be this hard.

"They are three very talented girls singing a wonderful song -- we know it will do well."

The band are also pinning their hopes on the decision made by clothes chain Top Shop to show the "Girlfriend" video at each of its stores.

Yet the national pop magazines have all said they will only touch bands capable of getting in the Top 40 - TKO's Internet release means the band is not eligible for entry into the charts - and that is a stance the television channels are also taking.

If the rules remain unchanged, Mr White fears it could spell death for any other band wishing to make it into the mainstream via the Internet.

But according to Emma, the girls are still upbeat. She said: "It's a very tense experience but we are full of confidence in the song and we think it'll be a big hit. Katie's so excited by it all she said she feels like she's got ants in her pants all the time."

The trio are buoyed by their experience of the high-life pop stars enjoy, following appearances alongside chart acts such as A1, Atomic Kitten, Scooch and Northern Line.

And aside from the video, the girls - all former Lowton High School pupils - are set to appear on television in a Channel Four educational film which will be shown in schools to nine, 10 and 11-year-olds in January.

The group are backed by Mr White who grabbed a slice of his father's £6 million National Lottery win five years ago.

His record firm, November Management, has already seen female duo Sweet Female Attitude soar up the charts.

But while Sweet FA were snapped up by a major record label, Mr White decided he wanted TKO to go it alone and pumped tens of thousands of pounds into the act in a bid to help them become household names.

Since then, the girls have had a punishing schedule, touring schools, filming and recording -- and resisting the attentions of men.

Joanne said: "The school tour was loads of fun. We've met thousands of people and we never got a bad response.

"But it's not just kids who have said they like the single, we've had a good response from just about everyone.

"We've all had a lot of attention from guys but we don't have time to think about.

"Some of the guys in the bands we've met were alright but we don't have time to get involved with them. There just aren't enough hours in the day and we hope -- and know -- it'll be worth it in the end."

The single will be sold on www.wannabeas.com