BLUR bassist Alex James is one of Bournemouth’s most famous musical sons and has never hidden his affection for his hometown.

In recent years, Alex has starred in a promotional video for Bournemouth Tourism, wrote extensively about growing up in the town for his autobiography A Bit Of A Blur and was even awarded an honorary doctorate at the Bournemouth University Media School in 2010.

Now the Britpop icon and Classic FM DJ is set to pay tribute to the wealth of classical music history in Bournemouth, with an entire radio programme devoted to the town.

The programme Alex James’s Magical Musical Tour is to be broadcast on Classic FM on March 29.

Alex will be exploring Bournemouth’s rich classical music history: Sir Hubert Parry was born in the city (so Alex will feature some of his music) and the nation's favourite choral conductor Gareth Malone attended Bournemouth School (as did Alex James himself).

In addition, Classic FM's Orchestra in the South of England, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, will also feature in the programme. Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra is the UK’s busiest orchestra, presenting more than 140 performances each year across 10,000 square miles.

Speaking about classical music in Bournemouth, Alex James told the Daily Echo: “So many great poets and authors lived and worked in Bournemouth such as Oscar Wilde, Verlaine, R L Stevenson and Shelley. Even Tolkien retired there for the sun the sea and the sand.

“I will never forget going to a Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra rehearsal with my junior school - the Sabre Dance. Outstanding. I never miss the open air concerts in Meyrick Park. It makes me proud that it continues to prosper and reinvent itself. You can take the boy out of Bournemouth but you sure can't take Bournemouth out of the boy,” added Alex James.

The 45-year-old grew up in Boscombe, Strouden Park and Southbourne, He went to Bournemouth School and took a part-time course at the university before going to University of London where he met his future bandmates.

Blur enjoyed worldwide success with albums like Parklife, taking four Brit awards in 1995, and reformed in 2009 for an acclaimed series of festival shows that culminated in the closing ceremony of the Olympics 2012.

Today, Alex presents radio shows, writes for newspapers and magazines, and makes cheese on his 200-acre farm in the Cotswolds.

Classic FM broadcasts across the UK on 100-102 FM, DAB digital radio, at classicfm.com and on the app.