COCKLE rockers Grand Reunion invite you to jump out of your shell and stuff your face in tandem at Bar Lambs, Westcliff, on Saturday night.

This annual Christmas portion of folk-rock fun has been a thickly red encircled date on the festive music calendar for the last three decades. And you won’t get hungry, as they’ve even served up a free buffet!

“We’d like to think this gig has become a little bit of local folklore and generates a nice bit of interest around the town,” says multi-tasking frontman Mickie D, who also plays harmonica and fiddle.

“Only God knows how long we have been doing it.

“We started off at the Grand, where the band was formed funnily enough, and it moved on to the Smack in the old town and now on to Bar Lambs.

“But it doesn’t matter where we play, it’s always a good night and we enjoy seeing all the old faces as well as some new ones too!”

The rest of the band are Pete Bailey on guitar, squeeze-box and keyboard player Joe Parker and bassist Jon Green.

Grand Reunion’s music is an eclectic mix of Irish folk and rock ‘n’ roll covers, plus a mixture of Sixties and Seventies tunes, influenced by the likes of Bob Dylan and the Dubliners.

As well as stomping around their home patch – they were a pretty much regular live fixture at the Grand on Saturday nights during the early Nineties – they have supported influential folk musician Ralph McTell and completed six mini tours of the Black Forest in Germany, even appearing on TV.

Admission to Saturday night’s gig is £5. Doors open at 8.30pm and support comes from the West Brothers. For more information, call 01702 714209.