IT'S not a Slight Return but a Blackpool debut for one acclaimed indie band.

The Bluetones will appear at the Spanish Hall, Blackpool Winter Gardens on July 5 as part of a summer tour to promote their recently released greatest hits package.

Formed in 1994 in Hounslow, West London, the band is made up of brothers Mark (vocals) and Scott Morriss (bass/backing vocals), Adam Devlin (lead guitar) and Ed Chesters (drums).

In the past eight years they have enjoyed 13 top forty hits including Slight Return, Marblehead Johnson and Solomon Bites The Worm and three top ten albums. The Bluetones are widely acclaimed as being one of the success stories of the 90s Britpop explosion and have over the years established a significant loyal fanbase.

Julian Murray of Blackpool-based promoters Infinite Events Ltd said: "We are delighted to have booked another top name act who have never played in Blackpool before.

"They are a band who most people have heard of, but due to the somewhat bizarre titles of some of the singles, not everyone can instantly name all the hits they've had.

"Few British bands of their genre have been as consistent over the years and the recent top twenty hit, Afterhours, shows that the band are most definitely still on form."

Several other bands are being lined up for summer appearances and more announcements will be made in the next few weeks.

Support on the night comes from hotly-tipped new band The Crescent and London band Ricky.

Tickets at £13.50 are available now from Millenium Concert Travel on (01253) 299266 and Blackpool Live on (01253) 292029, or you can book online at www.tickets-online.co.uk

The greatest hits collection The Bluetones - The Singles is out now on Superior Quality Recordings.