FOLK legends Fairport Convention will be back on the road this spring with their semi-acoustic show and will be welcoming back a familiar face.

The band’s longest-serving member, Dave Pegg, will be back on bass after badly injuring his hand earlier in the year.

Dave said: “In January I severed a tendon on my left hand while I was emptying the dishwasher. The irony is I’d just spent two days chainsawing firewood without incident.”

While Dave’s hand was in a splint for six weeks, his son Matt stepped in to complete Fairport’s winter tour.

“Now I’m raring to get back on the road and really looking forward to playing with the band again,” said Dave.

Fairport Convention have been touring for over 45 years and are acknowledged as pioneers of folk rock and their Liege and Lief album has been voted the most influential folk album of all time.

They play Hebden Bridge Trades Club on Wednesday, May 7 (details from 01422 845265) and Bury Met on Thursday, May 22 (box office 0161 761 2216).