BLACKBURN'S North bar will play host to The Vibrators on February 11 as the band celebrate their 25th year as a group.

The band, which formed in 1976, played their first gig supporting the Stranglers and supported the Sex Pistols later that year.

Early in 1977 the band supported Iggy Pop with David Bowie on keyboards on a UK tour, then moved to Epic Records and released the classic "Baby Baby" single, followed by their first album "Pure Mania" which spent five weeks in the UK Top 75,

They took a year out but reformed in 1982 and have been going ever since touring and making more than 14 records.

Last year the band did a thirty-one date tour of the USA, in addition to touring Brazil, the UK, Europe and Japan but this is the first time in several years they have been to East Lancashire.

Their visit to the Blackburn venue comes during a massive tour for the coming year including 35 dates already announced throughout Germany, Poland, London, Newcastle, Sunderland, Ireland and the Czech Republic.

Then, in May, the band will set off on a French tour before returning to the UK for a further tour later this year.

Tickets for the event cost £6 and are available on the door or by calling 01254 682670.