By Martin Hutchinson FANS of the original Cockney Rebel, Mr Steve Harley, are in for a treat, as he is returning to Bolton on Thursday.

He is looking forward to playing at the Albert Halls as he always receives such a warm welcome in the town.

For a number of years Steve has concentrated on his acclaimed acoustic tours, but now he's back with a 2001 version of Cockney Rebel, the band with which he first found fame almost 30 years ago!

"I've waited a long time to come back with the rock band," he affirmed.

"The North West is a special place and it has been very kind to me. Especially Bolton. The Albert Halls is a fantastic place to play . . . the acoustics are superb. I always enjoy playing there."

He guarantees to deliver a few surprises in the live set and added: "I tend to run off at a tangent so I can't give any guarantees as to what we'll play.

"What does annoy me though is when somebody puts the set I've played at a concert up on the Internet and says that is the set list.

"It changes from concert to concert and whoever puts the list up is just spoiling it for other people."

Steve has two CDs planned for next year with the release of a studio album in the summer and a live CD next autumn.

He is also busy presenting a half hour programme on BBC Radio 2.

Thanks to its popularity, 'Sounds of the Seventies' will have a two hour special on New Year's Eve and will be extended to a permanent one hour slot in January.

Tickets are available for Thursday's show from the Albert Halls box office on 334400.