THE king of rock and roll is back -- in the guise of Bolton's madcap fund-raiser Rod Arthern!

He is giving Elvis fans a star-studded excuse to don the flamboyant garb of the rock superstar to mark the 25th anniversary of The King's death next year.

Elvis impersonators -- men and women -- are now being urged to dust down their blue suede shoes and rock and roll.

As the karaoke season gets into full swing, pubs and clubs are being asked to stage their own Elvis contests and raise £600 each to sponsor a guide dog puppy.

A grand Elvis final, complete with a celebrity panel of judges, will be staged at the Festival Hall, Bolton on March 22. It is hoped that pubs across the town will rise to the challenge and reach the £10,000 fund-raising target. Rod Arthern, who won a national Elvis contest run by the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association for his renditions of The Wonder of You and American Trilogy, said: "We are putting the fun in fund-raising.

"We think it is a wonderful idea, here at the guide dogs.

"I'm a huge fan of Elvis and I know that there are many fans in Bolton.

"There's at least one Elvis singer at every karaoke and everybody can have a go. Even if you can't sing, it's good to take part and make people laugh to raise money for the guide dogs."

The glittering final will give Elvis impersonators a chance to tread the boards on stage with lights and a full sound system.

Already, pubs have been coming forward to support the idea and help boost dwindling funds for Bolton-based Guide Dogs for the Blind -- which were financially hit by the foot and mouth crisis earlier this year.

Each £600 will pay for initial training of a guide dog puppy at their Lowndes Street headquarters.

The celebrity judges have not yet been revealed but are expected to include major footballing names and local personalities. ELVIS THE PELVIS: Rod Arthern impersonates 'The King' and below he is pictured with Abbott the 15 month old guide dog

Pubs, clubs and local organisations running the contest will be given full backing by the guide dogs fund-raising team.

Rod added: "Each Elvis winner will receive 10 complimentary £10 tickets to the Festival hall final.

"So put on your blue suede shoes and support guide dogs for the blind. It really will be the Wonder of You."