THE Bootleg Beatles are back in the North-west for another celebratory show of fab four music -- although this year's set will be tinged with sadness.

The successful tribute band plays the Manchester Apollo next week and although the usual sing-a-long party night is promised, the group will be remembering George Harrison, who recently died of cancer.

The Bootleg Beatles have dedicated this tour to the youngest of the Liverpool legends and will be incorporating some of the classics he wrote into their set.

Neil Harrison, who takes the role of John Lennon, said: "I met George four years ago and he was really interested in what we were doing.

"He was a very normal, down to earth bloke"

"He was also very funny. He asked us where the bootleg Brian Epstein was, because he had all the money."

He added: "We were all very saddened when he died and we will be playing about five of his songs during the show."

The Bootleg Beatles have been bringing their tribute to Manchester for many years, selling out the 3,500 seater Apollo, which many chart bands do not even attempt to fill.

Their sets, which take the audience on a chronological ride through the mop top days of 1963 to the Abbey Road years and include documentary footage, are always a hit.

The group, made-up of Neil, Andre Barreau as George Harrison, David Catlin Birch as Paul McCartney and Rick Rock as Ringo Starr, are still amazed at the reaction they receive from people. Neil, who was born on Merseyside, said: "So many age groups like the Beatles. Last night in Glasgow there was a dad at the front with his tiny son on his shoulders.

"Whole families come and watch us and it is a real party atmosphere.

"We started this band off because we thought it would be a bit of fun. We never expected it to be like this."

The tribute band was born in 1979 when Neil and Andre met at the stage door of the Astoria theatre as they waited to audition for the roles of John and George in the stage musical Beatlemania.

The West End show closed after six months and the two men, together with the actors who played Ringo and Paul, decided to carry on playing the fab four.

By 1987 the current line-up was in place and the band began making a name for itself. In the 1990s the Bootleg Beatles played Glastonbury three times, as well as Knebworth with Oasis (Liam is a fan) and Wembley with Bon Jovi and Rod Stewart. They also played the last song at the famous stadium, singing a rousing version of Hey Jude before the ground shut its doors.

Despite being together for more than twice as long as the Beatles, the band members are enjoying performing as much now as they ever have.

Neil said: "I'm just a Beatles fan. I love playing their music because it is so diverse.

"The chemistry of that group was unique. People are always saying a new band will be the next Beatles, but it will never happen, it will never be repeated."

The Bootleg Beatles play the Manchester Apollo on Friday December 21, at 8pm. For tickets call 0161 242 2560.