THE trademark curls may have gone from blonde to grey but the shades, the attitude and primarily, the songs remain.

Ian Hunter and his hugely impressive Rant Band rolled back the years with a vintage show at Preston's Charter Theatre.

Somehow Hunter is 78. He has the energy, enthusiasm and the voice of a man half his age.

After a trademark 'Allo' greeting he launched into That's When the Trouble Starts, the opening track from his recent Fingers Crossed album. And for the next 90 minutes it was just pure quality all the way.

Fingers Crossed proved that Hunter has lost none of his abilities to produce songs with ridiculously good hooks and wonderfully acerbic lyrics and songs from the album featured prominently in the set.

But the set was also a trip through the extensive back catalogue, both as a solo artist and from his days with Mott the Hoople.

Once Bitten Twice Shy, one of his early solo hits came early in the set. When I'm President and The Truth, the Whole Truth and Nothin' But the Truth showcased the power of the Rant Band and Hunter's way with a lyric.

Either stood at the microphone with acoustic guitar in hand or seated behind his electric piano, Hunter remains a hugely charismatic figure, a wry grin never too far away.

Having had a show the night before, it took a couple of songs for the voice to warm up but thereafter he was on top form.

The opening chords of Mott the Hoople's All the Way From Memphis saw the crowd rise from their seats and rush to the front of the stage where they remained for the rest of the show.

Roll Away the Stone followed continuing the massed singalong.

A rocking version of the Velvet Underground's Sweet Jane bordered on the chaotic but it gave the Rant Band the chance to show just what good musicians they are.

For an encore Hunter sat at the piano for Dandy, the song he wrote in memory of David Bowie and fittingly followed this with All the Young Dudes, the song Bowie gave to Hunter.

A quick snippet of Goodnight Irene and sadly it was all over.

Ian Hunter looks like, sounds like and basically is a rock and roll star. And on the basis of this show he's as relevant, vital and entertaining as he has ever been.