AT one point the Bay City Rollers were one of the biggest bands in the world.

The Seventies saw young girls decked with Tartan queuing for hours to see their heroes outside hotels, at airports - and at sold out concerts.

Now three of the four original members are getting back together for a series of pre-Christmas shows, including a date at Blackpool’s famous Empress Ballroom, which are guaranteed to bring Rollermania flooding back.

Singer Les McKeown, bassist Alan Longmuir and guitarist Stuart ‘Woody’ Wood will be belting out classic Rollers’ songs such as Shang-a-lang, Bye Bye Baby and Remember.

“It’s going to be brilliant,” said Les, who has been touring constantly with his own Legendary Bay City Rollers band.

“The three of us got together last year which was quite stressful for Woody and Alan because they were not used to being on tour after so long,” he said.

“By the time we time got to T in Park, Woody had decided that he had had enough and he left the band. We’ve had a few chats since then and he’s happy with the arrangements so now he’s back and we’re all raring to go.

“Alan and Woody have had experience of what it’s like doing some shows again and they are really up for it. We’ve had a bit of a laugh and they know what’s in store this time round.”

Seeing the three original members back together on stage is a dream come true for many fans.

“So many fans have a genuine love of Bay City Rollers music,” said Les. “They look forward to the shows so much.

“We’ve got a great show planned for them. We’re thinking of doing a bit of a question and answer thing in there where we get the stools out and the acoustic guitars and take a few questions, we’ll see. But we’ll be doing all the old hits, don’t you worry about that.”

A couple of new songs may also feature in the show.

This year Les released The Lost Songs, songs which he had worked on in the Seventies but which had lain untouched in a suitcase for almost 40 years.

“We were using songwriters and producers around 74 and 75 so those songs never went anywhere back then,” said Les.

“I’d all but forgotten about them but I was fortunate to meet producer John McLoughlin and he listened to them and said it was brilliant stuff and he’s really brought out the best in them.

“You can tell they are Rollers songs but they sound modern too.”

For the Christmas shows the Rollers will be joined by fellow Seventies chart toppers the Sweet and a Debbie Harry tribute to create a real party atmosphere.

“The Sweet were our bitter enemies in the old days, well they were among the fans.” laughed Les. “But they’ve got some brilliant songs.

“We’re playing some great venues, it’s just before Christmas - it’s going to be a real party for everyone.”

Bay City Rollers, with the Sweet and Dirty Harry, Empress Ballroom, Blackpool, Friday, December 16. Tickets available from ticketmaster.co.uk