A BOLTON man is preparing for battle in the US after being invited to take the starring role in an American Civil War re-enactment.

Neville Wantling is the first foreigner to be asked to play General Robert E Lee - because he is the spitting image of the Confederate leader!

Neville, of Halliwell Road, Bolton, has been made an associate member of the the civil war society, the Blues and Greys and will take part in a mock Gettysburg battle in Pennsylvania, next month.

Confederate mad Neville explained: "Some friends of mine in the US are on the general staff of the Blues and Greys.

"They told me that I'd been chosen to play General Robert E Lee because I looked most like him.

"They said I looked more like him than anyone over in the US.

"It's a great honour and I'm really looking forward to being the star of the show."

And Neville, who at 59 is three years younger than the real general at the time of Gettysburg, has his photograph on posters all over the States to advertise the massive battle.

He added: "It's a very big event with over 30,000 people from all over the world taking part. It's quite a spectacle."

The re-enactment will take place over the three-day, 134th anniversary of the battle on July 1, 2 and 3 and Neville will stay over for the Independence Day celebrations on July 4.

Neville, who is a member of the Dixy Raiders Country and Western Club, became interested in the American Civil War about five years ago.

He is now so knowledgeable on the subject that he has even been invited to give a talk to students at a Manchester college.

He said: "I'm really looking forward to going over for the battle, I've been before, but this time it's extra special.

"It's going to be a great thrill to play General Lee at such a massive event."

Gettysburg was the turning point in the American Civil War. More than 54,000 soldiers were slaughtered and the Confederates were toppled by Yankee forces.

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