TAKING things easy doesn't appear to be an option Colin Blunstone would ever contemplate.

With over 30 years of hits, touring and many hugely successful albums to his credit, the voice behind hits such as She's Not There and more recently What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted is out on the road with other legends of the '60s Manfred Mann as part of their Maximum Rhythm 'n' Blues show.

He embarked on the current tour -- which takes in Preston's Guild Hall next Thursday -- after spending just one day rehearsing.

"I had just finished touring with Rod Argent and we had just one day to rehearse then it was off we go again," said Blunstone, who with Argent was a founder member of The Zombies.

"It has taken me a long time to realise it but singers need to sing. I compare it to a golfer.

"You need to be match-fit. Singing is quite a physical thing and the more you sing, within reason, the better it is."

The current tour sees Blunstone teaming up with some old friends such as Tom McGuinness, Mike D'Abo and Paul Jones.

"It's basically the Manfreds on stage all night doing some of their many hits.

"I thought I knew their work but it's not until you hear them do you realise just how many hits they have had," said Blunstone.

"There are three guest vocalists -- myself, Chris Farlowe and Long John Baldry and we all get the chance to sing backed by the Manfreds.

"We're all having a great time and the audience reaction has been fantastic.

"We all want the show to be successful and be the best it possibly can and I think this comes across to the audiences."

This is the second tour Blunstone has undertaken with Manfred Mann and he jumped at the chance to get involved.

"There's a great deal of banter and after a show the adrenalin means you can't go straight to bed so there's a good deal of storytelling goes on," he laughed.

Once the tour is over, Blunstone still doesn't intend to sit back and relax.

"I'll be into the studio as I've got two albums to work one, one solo project and one with Rod Argent. Then there's a tour to America to fit in somewhere with Rod."

The pair still have a huge following Stateside and in Japan.

"It might have been 1967 when The Zombies folded but there's a real cult following and some mystique surrounding the band, so the reception we get when we play Zombie songs is tremendous."

But before tours abroad or indeed work in the studio, Blunstone's first concern is to get himself around the country.

"The Manfreds have always travelled separately so we don't have a tour manager to look after us," he said.

"I'm always studying the map at night to see where I need to go the following day. Hopefully I'll find my way to Preston all right."

The show is at Preston Guild Hall on Thursday. Further information from the box office on 01772 258858.