SPICE GIRL turned serious singer Mel C arrives to perform in Lancashire for the first time on Friday as part of her debut solo tour -- promising something for everyone who dares to venture into the Guild Hall in Preston.

Scouser Sporty Spice has already sampled massive success with the Spice Girls, who are about to make a comeback in time for Christmas, but at the moment all she is working on is her solo career .

And she doesn't want any favours from the audience just because they know her from her Wannabe days.

With several smash hits under her belt, including Never Be The Same Again and I Turn to You, both of which went in at number one, and 500,000 album sales met, you could expect Mel to be preparing for an easy ride as she tours.

But nothing could be further from the truth -- as audiences in Preston will find out.

She said: "I only want what I deserve, what I work for. I don't want things handed to me on a plate.

"This tour is something special for me because I don't have any expectations. I am just playing it by ear and hoping the audience like what they hear.

"My only concern is to be the best I can be and as time goes on hopefully keep improving like a good wine, with age. "I'm still only a babby. I'm 26, I've got one world tour under my belt with the Spice Girls and one solo tour, so it's still early days for me. I've still got a lot to learn."

Local folk already seem to have given the girl their backing, making Friday's gig a complete sell-out, which is exactly what Mel, a qualified ballet teacher, wanted to hear.

She added: "When I was young I lived in Widnes, just outside Liverpool, and we didn't get many bands there at all.

"I was too young to go to Manchester on my own and I couldn't afford to go to London.

"So we're playing great theatres in places like Southampton and Carlisle and Preston, where people don't often get the opportunity to see a big act or at least an act that's had a number one single.

"The tickets are a little bit cheaper than arena shows too. "Also, I don't know if I'd have felt confident putting arena tickets on sale at the moment, although I am doing Wembley Arena in November.

"I've been able to do that after the success of Never Be The Same Again and because of how well the tour has sold.

"But in some respects I prefer to play theatres. You're closer to the audience and you can really get a vibe going."

Mel, who picked up an outstanding contribution to music award at this year's Brits, is also keen to tell her audiences to expect some surprises.

She added: "I love my rock and I love my dance and my soul and because I'm a singer and I don't really play any instruments very well. My voice is my instrument.

"I like to experiment and use it in different ways. I never put any boundaries on my creativity in terms of style."