WHAT songs would you listen to as the world ends?

That’s the question Bournemouth author Michael Linford poses as he pens Twenty Twelve, which considers the Mayan prediction that earth will be obliterated on December 21.

The novel’s main character sits on Parliament Hill, in London, and looks back on a random 12 months from his life, each represented by a song.

Singers Rumer and Nerina Pallot, Radio 6 Music DJ Shaun Keaveny and Dodgy drummer Mathew Priest are just some of the people who have sent their lists of 20 tracks to Winton-based Michael.

Another 2,000 people have visited Twenty Twelve’s website, and 300 people have joined its Facebook group.

Michael, 34, said: “The basic premise of the book is loss and so when people read it I would love them to look at their lives and say if now is all we have, am I happy?

“Hopefully it might make people react in a positive way and even if it means that they contact someone they haven't in a while, or do something nice for someone else, then I feel I have achieved something from it.”

Care home worker Michael, who published his first book of poetry this year, hopes Twenty Twelve will be out this autumn.

He likens its disjointed structure to the worldwide hit The Time Traveller’s Wife, by Audrey Niffeneger.

“I’ve always had an interest in music and human emotion,” he said.

“People have been asking if I really believe the Mayan prediction about the world ending at 11.11am on December 21 2012.

“Maybe I don’t, but the idea of Alice in Wonderland isn’t real but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good book.

“I take it to mean a new world order or spirituality beginning.”

If Twenty Twelve is popular, Michael hopes to follow it up with a ‘coffee table’ version charting people’s song lists.

And he already knows where he’ll go when the globe’s time is up.

“I’d go to Bournemouth cliff top to watch the end,” he said. “In my version it’s peaceful rather than explosions and fireworks and aliens – more like someone pulling a curtain down.”

Visit michaellinford.co.uk/twenty-twelve