A musical duo who have accused UK department store chain John Lewis of copying their version of a song used in the company’s Christmas advert are calling on the retail giant to donate to charities.

The Portraits – and alt-folk duo comprising Galway woman Lorraine Millington and her husband Jeremy said the version of Together In Electric Dreams in this year’s festive John Lewis advert, resembles the arrangement which they released last year for charity.

John Lewis said there is “no substance” to the claims, pointing out that it is a famous song which has been covered many times.

The department store also insisted that it supports “numerous” charities.

Together In Electric Dreams was originally released by Philip Oakey and Giorgio Moroder in 1984 as an up-tempo track.

Last year, The Portraits created a slowed-d own piano version with vocals from their daughter Ciara, and an accompanying video aiming to honour those who lost loved ones throughout the pandemic.

The group said money raised from the single went to charities Mind and Cruse Bereavement Support.

The version of Together In Electric Dreams featured on the John Lewis advert is performed by 20-year-old London singer and songwriter Lola Young.

Ms Millington, who is originally from Loughrea, told the PA news agency she would like John Lewis to “do the honourable thing” and donate to both Mind and Cruse Bereavement Care “in the spirit of Christmas”.

“It would be lovely if they could approach us directly and just be the retail corporation that we always thought that they were – friendly, kind, honourable... it would be the honourable thing,” she said.