THE sight of the Gracelands memorial garden proved too much for life-long Elvis fan John Turner.

Former Olympic wrestler John, of Leigh Road, Leigh was reduced to tears.

John couldn't believe it when his partner, Lynne, won a dream holiday to his idol's home in Memphis.

His interest in the King of Rock 'n' Roll spiralled when he moved into his Leigh Road home 20 years ago and the supermarket competition prize took John and Lynne on a week-long holiday to Memphis where they stayed at the Heartbreak Hotel.

They visited Elvis' birthplace at Tupelo, his school Humes High, Sun Studios, Launderdale Courts, Lansky's Restaurant and the unforgettable Gracelands.

Goose bumps

John said: "It was all amazing and ended far too soon. His house was tremendous, we saw his cars, his motorbikes. His suits were stuffed and displayed, I had goose bumps on my goose bumps when I saw those. And when we stood at his memorial garden I broke down in tears, it was so emotional."

A regular member of Tonge Moor Rock 'n' Roll Club for 25 years, John's pride and joy is his own Elvis bar, packed with authentic 1950s memorabilia -- including two original Juke boxes, a talking monkey, a custom-made Elvis guitar and an original Elvis autograph.

And now, since his holiday of a lifetime, John has spent the last two weeks redecorating other parts of his house to remind him of the wonders of Gracelands.

"Elvis' house is fantastic, beautiful and full of striking colours, one room was all red, black and yellow. Now I've stripped the hall in my house and painted the walls yellow and I'm having some hologram posters mounted in black frames to remind me of Elvis' room."

Despite having waited this long to go, John is already planning a return trip to see everything again.

"I can't wait to go back. It was amazing to go for his birthday, but I'm told thousands more fans go for the anniversary of his death, so we will have to do that next."