A DRUMMER who played with two of the most famous bands of all time is performing a one-off gig in aid of a community hospital on March 18.

Mick Avory was a member of The Kinks for 20 years after a brief stint with The Rolling Stones in the 1960s.

But this weekend Mick's new band, Class of 64, will take to the stage at Key Street Music Bar, Lowergate, Clitheroe, for a gig that aims to raise money for Clitheroe Hospital.

The intimate venue is in stark contrast to Kinks' gigs, when the group played to crowds in excess of 20,000 people.

And while the venue may be smaller, Mick, 63, who lives in London, is still passionate about his music and is looking forward to visiting Clitheroe again.

His last trip was to visit Pete Barton, lead singer of 60s group The Animals, who lives in the town.

He said: "Last time I was there it was all covered in snow and was very picturesque. It's a nice little town so it'll be good to return there."

Mick has performed in Class of 64 with Chip Hawkes, father of one-hit wonder Chesney and former bassist in the Tremeloes, and Burnley-born Eric Haydock, who was bassist in The Hollies.

The trio came together in 2004 when Barton approached them to form a band and join The Animals on their UK tour.

Despite his more relaxed outlook on performing, he believes the Clitheroe fans are in for a good gig as they perform tracks they did in their former bands.

"It doesn't really matter how many people there are in the crowd, you've just got to try and make it interesting.

"If you just go through the motions there's no point.

"You've always got to try and improve. If you get worse that's when it becomes a chore.

"The only difference between now and when I was in The Kinks is that you are going over old ground rather than breaking new ground.

"A couple of new songs might be thrown in but it's generally works by The Kinks, Tremeloes and Hollies."

Phil Knight, owner of Key Street, said the gig had come about because he knew Pete Barton and while it would be free to get in he was hoping people would donate for a good cause.

He added: "These are the sort of bands that I grew up with and that my dad listened to and it's great to have them.

"With it being Mother's Day it really brings in to focus the fact that peoples' mums often end up in Clitheroe Hospital, especially in the later stages of an illness."

The gig is at Key Street Music Bar, Lowergate, Clitheroe on Sunday, March 18. Doors open at 7pm.