WAYNE Ellis of Limehouse Lizzy, who play Colne on September 9, can remember the moment he identified with a man who would ultimately become his role model.

As a 14-year-old schoolboy in Bolton he was watching the local news and having his tea when the presenter announced that Thin Lizzy would be performing their new single, The Boys Are Back In Town, live on the programme.

"That was it," said Wayne, "at that moment I became a Thin Lizzy fan and a Phil Lynott nut in particular."

Now Wayne is living the life of his hero, playing bass and singing in Limehouse Lizzy, widely acknowledged as one of the country's top tribute bands, who will play Colne Muni.

"Even now I still chuckle at how I ended up doing this," said Wayne. "It wasn't planned, it just sort of happened."

Limehouse Lizzy have won numerous accolades for their live performances recreating the sound of the hugely influential rock band fronted by the late Phil Lynott.

"It's so heartwarming to do gigs now and to see the first two or three rows full of teenagers going absolutely mad," said Wayne.

"They can never have seen Lizzy live and yet they are so into the music."

Wayne is quick to dismiss critics who pour scorn on the notion of tribute bands.

"Tribute bands are seen as the poor cousin in the music world," he said.

"People say it's easy being in a tribute band but I say it's not easy being a good tribute band.

"There haven't been many Thin Lizzy tribute bands.

"For a start you don't get many black guys in rock, so we've got a head start on that one.

"Plus when you look at the various line-ups of Thin Lizzy they had some world-class musicians so it is quite an undertaking to say you're going to play like people such as Gary Moore.

"We do have a certain core amount of songs which we will play - there are some songs we simply must include - but we also try to vary the set to include some lesser-known tracks.

"We always try to explain about the songs and what album they came from for the audience to discover more about the band.

"The greatest thing is when you get someone comes up after a gig and says that was just how they imagined Thin Lizzy would have been.

"That's a job well done."

Limehouse Lizzy play Colne Muni on Saturday, September 9. Details on 01282 661234.