LEIGH chart topper Georgie Fame returns to his old stomping ground at the end of the month - with his family.

The Sixties' pop hero turned jazz superstar will light up Wigan with his latest group, The New Blue Flames, on Sunday afternoon, September 30.

The special concert launches Wigan Jazz Club's new season and Georgie's two sons, Jamie and Tristan, will join him on stage at the Mill at the Pier.

Georgie, real name Clive Powell, was born in Cotton Street, Leigh, and hit the big time with the first Blue Flames in the mid-60s.

He had three top 10 hits and they all went to No 1, starting with Yeah Yeah in 1964, followed by Getaway in 1966 and the Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde in 1967.

Other big releases included In the Meantime, Like We Used to Be, Sunny, Sitting in the Park and Rosetta with Alan Price in 1971.

Georgie, who married the late Marchioness of Londonderry, was no overnight success.

A Lilford weaver, he took piano lessons at eight while a pupil at St Peter's, then jumped on the skiffle bandwagon at 13 at Leigh Central Secondary School, then as a 16-year-old joined The Dominoes, later renamed The Beat Boys.

In 1959 he packed his bags and moved to London with the Roy Blackwell Group, was spotted by Larry Parnes and the Fame began.

Georgie, who plays with ex-Rolling Stone Bill Wyman in The Rhythm Kings, has just released a new album Relationships featuring R and B and jazz numbers.

He will play at the Pier between 12.30pm and 3.30pm on the 30th with The New Blue Flames featuring Alan Skidmore on tenor sax, Guy Barker on trumpet and Geoff Gascoine on bass, plus Jamie Powell on drums and Tristan Powell on guitar.

He is presently fulfilling a two-week engagement at the famous Ronnie Scott's in London.

Georgie last performed in the area two years ago at Leigh Miners' Welfare Club to help fund raising for the club's junior rugby league players.

Tickets for his latest gig range from £10 to £12 and are available by ringing 01925 727408, 01942 243974 or 01695 627577.