AN ex-footballer star who had an injury-free career was ruled out of appearing at East Lancashire's big music festival - by a double hernia.

Kevin Hird, 51, was left feeling blue after having to abandon his appearance at the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival after surgery to correct the problem, caused by wear and tear.

The former defender who played for Burnley in the 1980s, Blackburn Rovers in the 1970s and still plays for Kelbrook in the East Lancs League, was due to go under the knife in mid-September.

But surgeons brought the operation forward to last Thursday. That meant he was ruled out of Sunday's fixture when he and his friend Alan Sager were due to take to the stage the Colne Muni.

Kevin, who became the most expensive full-back in the country when he was transferred to Leeds United in 1979 for £357,000, picked up the guitar while playing for the Yorkshire club.

He said: "I was disappointed I did not play on stage. The operation was brought forward and I wanted it out of the way.

"I never had any like this before, I had a few pulls. It is probably the worst injury I have had. There was no way I could play. Walking up the stairs at the minute is a major operation."

However, there was still much for Kevin, who lives in Kelbrook, to cheer about as his son Sam continued his music stardom bid.

The 22-year-old is putting the finishing touches to his debut album after he left his classical music degree at Manchester University to pursue his dreams.

Sam, who performed at the Burnley Blues Festival earlier this year, wowed a packed audience when he appeared on the acoustic stage at the Muni on Saturday.

Kevin, who also played for Colne Dynamoes, said: "It went really well, and it was packed. I play when I feel I want to but with Sam is almost making a living out of it."