THE NEW voice of Elvis will be heard in Blackpool next month thanks to a hotel-owning fan of the King.

American singer Doug Church will be appearing in the Spanish Hall at the Blackpool's Winter Gardens on February 7 and 8.

Born in Michigan, he has been wowing Elvis fans with his tribute act since winning his first talent show in 1983.

He has also brought out albums, including Kingtinued, an album of modern songs such as Wind Beneath My Wings and Candle in the Wind sung as Elvis might have sung them had he still been alive.

His shows in Blackpool have been arranged by Alan Jennings of the Hotel Vista on Blackpool's High Street.

"We're Elvis fans, and our guest house has an Elvis themed bar and so on," he said.

"Doug's latest album is called Kingtinued.

"The more you listen to it the more you are just amazed by the guy's voice."

He heard about Doug from a friend who edits a national Elvis magazine, and who sent him a CD of Doug's.

He was so amazed by what he heard he played it to friends and fellow fans.

"They couldn't tell it apart from Elvis at all," he said, and before long Doug was booked to fly to Britain, just to appear in Blackpool for two nights!

He has visited Britain a couple of times, but this will be his first visit to Blackpool.

He told fans: "I have never been there but I have heard from folks here in the US that have been there that it is the Las Vegas of Great Britain.

"I am eagerly looking forward to this experience and it is always a pleasure meeting new fans from the UK who share such a deep love and respect for the memory of Elvis Presley."

Doug Church will perform two 40 minute sets, supported by 50s and 60s rock-'n'-roll from Shayne and the Satellites. Doors open at 6pm and the shows start at 7.30pm.

Tickets costing £14 are available from the Winter Gardens box office on 292029.