Jack's the lad in the North West.

Jack remains the most popular name for boys in the North West despite a national swing to Oliver.

The report released by the National Office of Statistics shows that those in this region do not go with the grain, as Oliver is crowned most popular name in England.

Almost 27,000 different boys names were registered in 2009, among the national top five is Oliver, Jack, Harry, Alfie and Joshua.

The girls saw less of a regional variation, with Olivia and Ruby dominating new names as they were both non-movers from the previous year.

There were 706,248 live births in England and Wales in 2009, with 34,100 different girls' names registered

An ONS spokesman said changes in the top 100 since 1999 showed there had been a resurgence in names which "were perhaps once associated with people of the inter-war generation or earlier".

The ONS highlighted Evie which has risen 157 places to number 10 since 1999, Ruby (up 91 to number two) and Lily (up 45 to eight), and boys' names such as Alfie (up 60 to four) and Charlie (up 25 to seven).

The biggest mover in the top 100 was Lucas for the boys, who jumped 19 places to number 17.

BY CHRIS SEVERS

LIVERPOOL GETS A TASTE OF YOUNG RIVAL

LIVERPOOL TO GETS A TASTE OF YOUNG RIVAL

The Liverpool music scene is to get a Young Rival this November, with the band set to play at the 02 Academy.

The Canadian Indie outfit will rock the academy on November 20th and is supported by Born Ruffians.

The highly rated band, who are well known for their unique style of rock and roll, are touring the country after working with 2009 Polaris Prize winning producer John Drew to create their self titled 2010 album.

Drummer Nick Fralick said on working with Drew: "Jon has a total hands-off approach to recording a band like us

"We recorded in a high-ceiling room with mics scattered throughout. The result is an album that's bigger sounding than anything we've done before, because it captures the intensity of our live playing, while still highlighting the more subtle aspects of our band's dynamic."

What gives Young Rival their snowballing reputation is how they hearken back to a time where musicianship was primary; where a band's ability to collaborate and play well together was more important than any other.

And yet Young Rival offers a sound that is both refreshing and current; delivering it with an uncompromising edge and swagger.

Happy Mondays drummer 'Gaz' Whelan was blown away by the band earlier this year. He said:"Thereís a band in Hamilton that completely knocked us back called Young Rival. Completely blew me away. Itís like the Beach Boys meet the Sex Pistols. It was brilliant. It could have been 1968 or 2010."

With shows and tours alongside The Sadies, Born Ruffians and Tokyo Police Club well as forthcoming remixes by Junior Boys, this young band occupies a unique - and important - position in today's indie landscape.

BY CHRIS SEVERS