LOCAL legends The Rubbish are set to make a sensational return to the live scene, this Spring, for a special one-off show.

The Pendle five-piece, who twice opened shows for Status Quo at Wembley Arena and enjoyed a massive East Lancashire following, are now back rehearsing together after a break of over two years.

With four of the original members, Bruce Thomas, Barney Williams, Chris "Biff" Hartley and Chris Precious, back together, the line-up is being completed by Milltown Brothers bassist James Fraser.

Lead singer Bruce Thomas revealed the idea to reform had come about after customers at his Colne restaurant quizzed him about the disappearance of the group.

Bruce said: "I just thought, 'Yeah, what the hell, let's do it again.' I knew everyone would be up for it and, although we've all got different things on the go, it's going to be a great laugh."

He added: "We never really split up or fell out or anything. We had a load of good songs and a great following. I always said never say never about the band, so it's a case of let's do it one more time."

Formed late in 1997, the group was born as collective of friends simply jamming together as a bit of fun to stop the boredom setting in.

The name started out as joke but it wasn't long before their collection of retro uptempo tunes had people taking notice.

Outspoken Radio One DJ Chris Moyles chatted about the band on his afternoon show with his sidekick Comedy Dave, as did Mark and Lard. Colleague Kevin Greening went one step further, giving the music national airtime when he played It's A Lovely Day.

Wacky TV presenter Fred Talbot took time out from reading the weather to appear in one of their offbeat videos, as did cult comic Frank Sidebottom.

And when veteran rockers Status Quo invited the lads to open two sell-out shows at Wembley Arena, along with other dates, it seemed only a matter of time before the group would be snapped up.

But even the self-funded and excellent Crazy Farmers album wasn't just enough to secure a deal.

Whether the labels found their Santana/Kinks-influenced material too retro or simply couldn't connect with the band's sense of humour, no-one will ever know.

But, looking back, there are no regrets from the band.

Bruce said: "We all know it was the best band we've ever been in, and that's no disrespect to other bands we've worked with. It's just that with The Rubbish it was so much more than the music. It was all about the personalities and everything we got up to that made it great.

Billed as the Never Say Never Gig, the show takes place at Nelson Cricket Club on Friday, March 28 with admission £4.