NINETIES heroes The Bluetones have been signed up to cement the revival of an East Lancashire venue.

The Slight Return chart-toppers will play St Mary's Chambers in Rawtenstall on Saturday, June 8, it has been announced.

New leaseholders there are hopeful the rejuvenated location will prove to be a worthy successor to the town's famed Astoria Ballroom, which hosted The Who and The Kinks and was demolished in 1966.

John Patrick Ljevar and his wife Emma, of Elite Concerts International, is at the helm of the grade II listed building, with promises of more star names in the pipeline.

Promoter Danny Solazzo, who used to run Artisan in Rawtenstall, said: "There are so many exciting things going on in the town right now and we hope this will contribute to that.

"This is a fantastic place, which is being run by people who have promoted concerts all over the world."

An estimated £100,000 has been spent on refurbishing the interior of the the chambers, which once housed the town's magistrates court, including a new lighting and sound rig, and additional seating.

John said: "We have made a lot of changes to the venue including a stage extension and installation of professional concert sound & lighting. The idea is that these changes along with excellent technical crew will help us to attract a higher calibre of named artists & bands, despite the limited capacity, whilst also bringing something new and exciting to Rossendale."

Danny added: "We have got a variety of things coming up, from tribute acts to established bands.

"There are around three or four big names we are currently talking to who should be announced in the near future."

Last weekend The Bluetones, fronted by Mark Morriss, who scored hits with Bluetonic, Marblehead Johnson and Solomon Bites The Worm, played King George's Hall and promoters at St Mary's are hopeful of becoming a similar mainstay on the gigs circuit.

An Adele tribute will be supported by the Lomax Brothers on June 14 and a Lady Gaga tribute is lined up for June 21. Wrestling is also on the bill with the Rage In Rawtenstall earmarked for July 20.