MARK E Smith and The Fall have announced a date at Clitheroe’s Grand Theatre next autumn.

The Fall played a sell-out show at the York Street venue in 2013 and their return to the Ribble Valley for a band that John Peel famously enshrined as “the mighty Fall” will be another must-see gig for Lancashire music fans.

Fall co-promoter Chris Hewitt said: “Mark really enjoyed coming to Clitheroe last time. It was a wonderful gig and a terrific atmosphere.

“There’s a great history with The Fall and Clitheroe, going back 30 years when they played on the bandstand in front of Clitheroe Castle.

“It is a date that he is really looking forward to.”

The Fall are pencilled in to appear on Saturday, October 10.

There are not too many bands who can say they have conquered the world within their first five years, but British singing sensations Blake are getting pretty close.

With their trademark harmonies and chiselled charm, Blake have wowed fans all over the world - and have been regularly invited to perform at Buckingham Palace.

Now the globe-trotting trio have announced a not be missed performance at the Grand on January 23, where they will be showcasing a brand new album.

If you enjoy your sound a few decibels louder, then there’s a massive treat in store for admirers of monster rock legends Led Zeppelin a week later.

New York all-girl quartet – Lez Zeppelin – arrive at the Grand fresh from their American winter tour, so stand by for classics, Whole Lotta Love, Stairway to Heaven, Black Dog and Kashmir with an extra twist of girl power.

Three of Britain’s outstanding female singer-songwriters – Kathryn Williams, Maz O’Connor and Georgia Ruth – provide a triple bill of folk music in February.

One of the highlights of ‘Womenfolk’ is sure to be Welsh harpist and singer Georgia Ruth.

Exciting rock-blues guitarist Chantel McGregor, one of the Grand’s favourite performers, makes a welcome return to the theatre in March with a fresh and exciting show for the New Year.

Also that month, Scots’ punksters The Rezillos – fronted by the ebullient Faye Fife – will step off their UK tour with The Stranglers to make their first appearance at the Grand.

The Rezillos enjoyed hits with Top of the Pops and I Can’t Stand my Baby, while Eddie Ten Pole, who starred in the Sex Pistols film the Great Rock and Roll Swindle – remember his wacky singles Who Killed Bambi and Swords of a Thousand Men – provides the support with his band.

What’s sure to be a laugh a minute night will be the launch of the Grand’s new comedy club on March 13, featuring Justin Moorhouse and Steve Royle, both who have featured in Peter Kay’s Pheonix Nights.

The Grand’s popular spoken word evenings, meanwhile, have attracted two more very special guests.

Just a fortnight before the nation’s favourite race – The Grand National at Aintree – jockey Bob Champion will be visiting the theatre.

Champion won the Grand National in 1981 on horse Aldaniti after recovering from cancer, and will talk about sporting life and the struggle to survive against all the odds.

Henry Marsh is a world-class neurosurgeon and in his best-selling book – Do No Harm, Stories of Life, Death and Brain Surgery – he gives an unforgettable insight into the highs and lows of a life dedicated to operating on the human brain.

With astonishing candour and compassion, Henry reveals the exhilarating drama of surgery, the chaos and confusion of a busy modern NHS hospital, and above all the need for hope when faced with life’s most agonising decisions.

He has also been the subject of two documentary films, Your Life in Their Hands and the English Surgeon, which won an Emmy. Henry Marsh (April 15) Other major highlights include National Theatre Live presentations of Treasure Island, Behind the Beautiful Forevers and The Hard Problem.

  • Arrangements for The Fall tickets to be announced shortly but all the other acts are now on sale. Box office, 01200 421599 or www.thegrandvenue.co.uk