MEMBERS of a hard rock band from Burnley have thanked their loyal fans after staging a raucous farewell gig in the town.

Exit State, fronted by lead singer and rhythm guitarist Roy Bright, have finally called it a day after nine years which saw them become a Kerrang TV and festival favourite, alongside appearing with a number of industry legends.

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The band announced they were splitting in July and their final dates have included an acoustic set at the SOS Festival and a performance at Radcliffe.

But the Sanctuary Bar, in Cow Lane, a firm favourite with the group, was the venue for their last outing, supported by Fantasist and Sunken Monkey.

Their debut album ‘Death of a Rockstar’ was released in May 2010, to great acclaim, through King Prawn Records.

They then moved into the big leagues with their second effort, Black Veins, released by Rocksector.

Support slots soon followed with the likes of Michael Schenker, ex-Iron Maiden idol Blaze Bayley, former AC/DC member Dave Evans, Marseille and The Black Mollys.

This led to their best-received contender Let’s See It All, spawning the singles Pull The Thread and Crystalline, before their final offering, All The Possibilities, which was offered to fans as a free download in August.

Before that the band, with ‘Texas’ Peat Hicks on drums, bassist Phil Ireland and lead guitarist Matt Harris, became charity patrons, backing chART, the children’s hospice arts fundraisers.

Writing online, Roy said after the last show: “Thank you so much to the sell-out crowd that came down to see us off and give us their goodbyes.

“So sorry we didn’t have time to talk to you all in great length such was the manicness of the situation. But I hope we will get to see many of you again.”

After their amicable parting, each musician has their own future plans.

Roy became a published author with the release of Judas, and is working on the second and third instalments in an anticipated trilogy.

Meanwhile Peat, from Rossendale, will continue on the drummer’s chair for Madame Red and Marseille, while Phil has a new band, Breaking Waves.