CHRIS Simpson says that he really is trying to take it easy.

"After 47 years on the road and 78 countries I am honestly trying to wind down," he said. "I wrote a book The Visitor which did rather well and I've just written another which I really enjoyed.

"But the band are so good now I just can't let it go."

The band in question are Magna Carta, the group Chris founded in 1969, and who are heading to the Grand in Clitheroe next week.

Unless you are a fan or are steeped in music, the chances are Magna Carta are one of the most successful bands you have never heard of.

Blending rock, folk, prog rock and great storytelling the band has sold over eight million albums worldwide including their seminal work Lord of Ages.

"Given everything we have achieved we are perhaps still not as mainstream as we should be," said Chris.

But you get the feeling that Chris, who now lives on a narrowboat for much of the year, wouldn't have it any other way.

"I've had a fantastic life," he said, "particularly the tours we did with the British Council."

In total Chris did 29 different tours taking his songs to remote corners of the earth.

"I've played to jungle indians in the Amazon," he said. "I once saw the pyrotechnics in Nicaragua during an outdoor gig. and I thought they were fantastic. They were - it turned out it was a nearby volcano erupting. I've seen a lot of the world and some of those experiences, you can't buy that with gold."

In 2015 Chris released the 25th Magna Carta album, the Fields of Eden, which critics said was one of his finest works.

And yet once the first Magna Carta album came out in 1969 he thought that would be it for the band.

"When we made the first album I honestly thought that was it," he said. "I held it and turned it over and savoured it - I never thought we'd make another."

At the heart of Magna Carta's music has been great storytelling and fine musicianship. A number of top musicians have been part of the band - most recently Ken Nichol, formerly of Steeleye Span and Fairport Convention has come on board.

"We've always had wonderful players," said Chris. "Also my songs were never just twee fairyscapes. They weren't political as such but they were talking about the real world and real issue and they remain relevant all these years later."

"I think my songs have always had a point to them."

Magna Carta with support Indigo Rose, Clitheroe Grand, Friday, March 31, Details from the box office on 01200 421599