Dig out your blue suede shoes and get ready to swivel those hips - for 'The King' is coming to Darwen on August 4. We spoke to celebrated Blackburn Elvis tribute act Jay Ashton.

THERE are an estimated 85,000 Elvis impersonators around the world. At this rate of growth, experts predict that by 2019 Elvis impersonators will make up a third of the world population!

But Blackburn man Jay Ashton can lay claim to being one of the best.

Although he has only been doing the job for seven years, he is well-known on the circuit and well-respected among his peers.

And he will be wowing audiences at Darwen Library Theatre next month with his show The Wonder of Elvis.

The show was originally due to take place on August 11, but has been moved forward to Saturday, August 4.

It will also feature singer Paul Molloy, who will be playing "young" Elvis from the 1950s. Jay will play "Vegas" Elvis - which means he gets to wear the white jewel-encrusted jumpsuits. The pair are joined by a full live band, The Vegas Cruisers.

"It's a great show," said Jay.

"Elvis fans will really enjoy it, but you don't have to be a huge fan to come.

"I always have people coming up to me after concerts saying 'I wasn't that much of an Elvis fan before but I loved your music so much I'm going to buy his album now.' I'm just glad to spread the word."

Jay gave up the day job and began making a living from impersonating his hero seven years ago - and he hasn't looked back.

"It all started after I got sick of seeing people doing bad tributes," he said.

"Elvis is my hero you see and I hated seeing people doing him an injustice. I decided to give it a go myself. I knew I could put on a show that gave respect to a great man and I know my stuff.

"It's a great job," he continued. "I get to travel all over the world doing what I love. My family love it too. My wife thinks it's great and my daughter Madison, who's two-and-a-half, wants to be Elvis when she grows up too, like her daddy."

Jay has spent years learning to be like The King, from taking karate lessons to learn his moves, to studying the way he emphasises words.

He has steadily built a large fan base across the UK and Europe and is highly regarded among other Elvis impersonators.

But despite being about as close as possible to the great man, Jay can't put his finger on what it is about Elvis that has captured the imagination of the world.

"I wish I knew what it is about him that people love. It's something you just can't define. It's everything," he said.

"They'll never be another Elvis, I truly believe that. Even 30 years after his death nobody has come close and he's still winning over new fans now. He's influenced so many people and touched so many lives. Everything about him is special."

See Jay Ashton in The Wonder of Elvis at Darwen Library Theatre on Saturday, August 4, 7.30pm. For tickets call 01254 706006.