THE UK's premier blues and rock band are back in town next week to make it more than a Good Friday.

To the delight of their strong local following, The Hamsters return to the Limelight stage, belting out tracks from new album Open All Hours, released this month.

Sheer hard work over the last 17 years has won them a string of accolades including Blueprint magazine's best blues rock band.

Radio 2's Bob Harris is also a big supporter, hailing them as one of Britain's best bands as well as playing their tracks on his show while their second session for Paul Jones' Blues Show was also broadcast on the station recently.

Widely regarded as the leading interpreters of the music of Jimi Hendrix and ZZ Top, The Hamsters are equally as comfortable playing blues or tearing into a hard rock original.

The Hamsters' Slim, once voted one of the top 100 guitarists of all time, Rev Otis and Zsa Zsa have all performed with renowned artists such as Eric Clapton, Alison Moyet, Doctor Feelgood, Art of Noise and the late great British blues legend Alexis Korner.

Along with the imminent new album, the band also recently released a two-hour concert on VHS and DVD, entitled To Infirmity, and Beyond.

After performing at last year's revamped London Guitar Show at Wembley, they are back there next month, this time for both days.

Sure to be a buzzing night at the Limelight, they're live from 9.30pm. Tickets are £8.