BLACKBURN’S own veteran punk band The Stiffs will be making a rare live appearance at Darwen Live, 30 years after releasing their very first single.

The group will be performing on the man stage on Bank Holiday Monday featuring the original line-up of Ian ‘Strang’ Barnes on guitar, Big John Ernest McVittie on bass, drummer Tommy ‘Tupper’ O’Kane and lead vocals from Phil Hendriks.

The Stiffs, formed in 1977, released their debut single Standard English on their own Dork Records label in May 1979, before cutting records for both EMI Records and cult ‘indie’ label Stiff Records in the early 1980s.

“Our gigs over the last few years or so have been rather sporadic,” said lead singer Phil Hendricks.

“I’m always unsure of how many people will turn up, then blown away by how many do.

“This weekend we’ll be playing all the old songs we’re best known for from back in the day and it will be a little piece of nostalgia for everyone. There will be a couple of new songs thrown in because believe it or not we have been recording recently.”

Phil, who now lives in Linconshire added: “We are very excited to be playing in Lancashire for our 30th anniversary.”

To coincide with this year’s free two-day event, a limited edition run of the band’s previously unissued vinyl single Innocent Bystander/Affairs of the Heart has been produced.

The songs were recorded in late 1980s and were originally designated as a single release before the project was shelved.

The band, who were championed by the late Radio 1 DJ John Peel, are also preparing to make their entire catalogue available for download this summer, including several previously unreleased tracks and some brand new recordings.

Phil Hendriks, will also be appearing as one of Eric Faulkner's Bay City Rollers, who are headlining the Sunday main stage, which will be set up in its traditional home in the bus station.