FANS of Elvis impersonator Steve Preston can catch a special performance in his home town and celebrate a new era for a local pub at the same.

The live performance at the Roebuck, Charles Lane, Haslingden, on Thursday, will officially mark the arrival of the pub's new management of Nigel and Linda Bateson.

Linda said: "This will be his first proper gig in his home town for a very long time but he has a huge following.

"We have just finished a massive refurbishment and redecorating plan so this is perfect timing."

The couple have been managing the pub since December 13 after the sudden death of landlord Dave Dewhurst.

The Roebuck is known locally as Eli's Palace in tribute to Mr Dewhurst.

The 200-capacity pub is the first and only bar in the Haslingden area to have a late licence for midnight on Thursdays and Sundays, and 1am on Fridays and Saturdays with another application to extend weekend hours to 2am in the pipeline.

The couple and their daughter, Katy, 17, who has started a modern apprenticeship at the pub, are looking forward to things settling down.

Linda said: "I don't think people realise how difficult running a pub is."

And they are expecting a packed house for Steve's performance.

The singer was once described by TV presenter Phillip Schofield as "the voice behind a stunningly lifelike Elvis experience" when he presented him with Elvis's cigar lighter on 1994's Schofield's Quest.

He has performed in front of the Queen alongside Sir Cliff Richard and Olivia Newton-John at the Dominion Theatre for the Royal Variety Performance in 1995.

The soundalike even starred in The Best Elvis Show in the World Ever in 1999, promoted by SJM Concerts -- the same promoters for The Spice Girls and Robbie Williams.