EVERYONE'S favourite reggae band makes a welcome return to Manchester on Sunday.

UB40, who are celebrating their 21st birthday, have notched-up so many hit singles and albums that the eight members had to sit down and vote on what songs to include in the set.

Socialise

They also invited fans to go on their website and make suggestions for what tracks they would like to hear live.

Vocalist Astro, who has been with the band since they first started rehearsing in a Birmingham cellar in 1978, took time out from the band's hectic schedule for a chat with the BEN.

The father-of-five still has his roots firmly based in the Black Country as do all the other band members who have never been lured from the charms of Birmingham.

They all remain the best of pals, socialise regularly and their children are now growing up together.

Astro, aged 44, is raring to get back on stage. He said: "I can't wait to play live, we played at some festivals over the summer and we're all looking forward to these dates. I can't even remember the last time we were in Manchester, but we've always had a good reaction there.

"I do still get nervous before we go on stage, but I think it's a good thing to have nerves."

He cannot imagine a day when the band will split up, but all the members have enjoyed solo and collaborative work, with Astro having kept himself busy writing a novel similar in style to 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels'.

He added: "As long as the fans still want us, then we'll keep writing.

"When we got together we just wanted to play music and had no idea we would be going 21 years later, but I think the fans stick with us and introduce their own kids to the music because we've always been down to earth and not written about things we can't relate to."

Fans can look forward to a varied set with all the old classics such as "Rat in my Kitchen" and "Red, Red Wine" as well as tracks from their new album "Labour of Love III".

His particular favourite, "Don't Break My Heart", is also likely to feature in the two hour long set.

Fans can look forward to a double-whammy of a treat as the Pretenders will be supporting the band after many years of association between the two acts.

Tickets are £23.50 and £21 from 0161 930 8000.