THEY said it couldn't be done, but Rollermania is back.

After years when The Bay City Rollers were nothing but a fond memory, we have a fully-fledged reunion with three of the classic line-up about to tour together for the first time in decades.

Singer Les McKeown has been touring for years with his own band, including Bolton's Albert Halls last year, performing the hits and new material all over the world, while some of the other previous members have occasionally gone out in various line-ups.

But now Les has reunited with bassist Alan Longmuir and guitarist Stuart 'Woody' Wood.

He said: "It's taken a few years to put together.

"There were a number of legal wrangles in the States to iron out, but we're glad to be back."

The original Rollers, which also included Eric Faulkner and Derek Longmuir, ruled the charts from 1973 to 1976 with hits like Shang a Lang, Bye Bye Baby, Give a Little Love and Money Honey — and many a teenage girl was bedecked in tartan from head to foot.

Eventually, the band split, after Les was the first to leave.

After all this time, were the other band members keen to be a part of a reunion?

"Alan and Woody were super-keen to do it," explains Les, who is — incredibly — now 60 years old.

"I'm not quite sure about Eric, as I haven't heard back from him and Derek isn't well. So instead of waiting until we all said yes, we thought we'd do a few shows now.

"It's a temporary thing at the moment and we have to wait and see what happens on the dates, but other things could happen next year.

"There's a lot of unknowns and we have to give people time to get used to it all."

Alongside the three original members, the band will also feature Les' own touring band.

As it took so long to put together, Les might have become disheartened — but this is not the case.

Les said: "I've got the kind of attitude that is upbeat and I thought if I was up for it, maybe the other guys would be too and that kept me going."

With most of the dates being in Scotland and one in London, it seems strange that the band is also playing Manchester.

Les laughs and says, "Why not? Manchester was a huge hot spot for the Bay City Rollers. I played Bolton last year and it was like Rollermania all over again."

The set list will be a mixed bag.

"Naturally, we'll do all the hits," Les states. "But we have a new album coming out, so we'll also do our new single, called Boomerang, and a new Christmas song, plus maybe one or two others from the new album, which is complete. It's mainly me and my usual band, but Alan and Stuart have put things on. We're just waiting for a release date."

Les, who was just 18 when he joined the group in 1973, has two favourite Rollers hits.

"You just can't beat Shang a Lang and Bye Bye Baby," he said.

"It'll be a fantastic night and we're looking forward to recreating the old magic and perhaps making some new magic as we're already talking to promoters regarding festivals next year. Probably Japan and America, but hopefully Britain as well."

The Bay City Rollers, featuring Les McKeown, Alan Longmuir and Stuart 'Woody' Wood, will be appearing ay the O2 Apollo Theatre, Manchester on Tuesday, December 29.