THE surprise pop act which could pip Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman to the coveted Christmas Number One spot will be coming to Blackburn in the New Year.

Gordon Haskell, whose single 'How Wonderful You Are' is hotly tipped to make the top slot in the singles chart this week , will play King George's Hall on Sunday, February 24.

The founder member of Seventies' progressive rock group King Crimson, Haskell claims to have written his current hit during a shopping trip to the supermarket with his 82-year-old mum.

Band members for his Blackburn date will be former Pretenders bassist Robbie McIntosh and Hamish Stuart on guitar, the original vocalist from the Average White Band.

Tickets are £7.50 in advance, £8 on the door.