AHOY, shipmates -- it will be all aboard the SS Roebuck on Saturday, when the pub sets sail for a luxury cruise!

The pub, at Burnley Road East, Scout Bottom, will be shipshape once organisers put the finishing touches to its planned transformation but one vital element is missing -- a celebrity to launch the ship.

One of the organisers, Jacqui Willis, said: "We know we have celebrities in Rossendale and we are appealing for someone to volunteer to officially launch the ship.

"Money raised will be going to Christie Hospital in Manchester because we have a few regulars who have had treatment at the hospital. We are going to have a hog roast at the back of the pub and we may be making it into a bit of a beach scene so people can turn up in beachwear."

The organisers are converting the interior of the pub to resemble a ship complete with bunting and banners, and a regular has covered bottles with candlewax to give it an authentic feel.

Tickets will double as boarding passes and Jacqui and five others will be performing a line dancing routine down the 'galley' they have spent eight weeks rehearsing.

A raffle will be held with the first prize of a TV and other quality prizes and the bar staff will be serving up cocktails. Anyone wishing to attend should dress in boating gear, cocktail dresses and dinner jackets or any other seaside or shipping gear they would like.

If a celebrity wants to help they can contact Graham or Diane Fairhurst on 01706 211948.