THE North-East’s own Eric Clapton is looking forward to playing in his home town after a five-year absence.

Mike Hall has performed the music of the legendary guitarist for 29 years in one of the first tribute acts to be formed.

The sound and lookalike will be performing in his native Durham on Friday, September 26 at 8pm in the city’s Gala Theatre.

He will perform music from various eras in his show Classic Clapton, which features his band After Midnight.

Mr Hall, who is 62 and now lives on Tyneside, went to Durham Johnston School, and still has friends and family in and around Durham.

“I can’t believe five years have gone by since we last played there,’’ he said.

“They had a policy of no more tribute bands so from just after 2009 up until a year ago that was it but a lot of people wrote in and they have relented.

“It is always a special occasion playing in Durham. Quite a few old school friends that I haven’t seen for years should be.”

The last show was a sell-out and Mr Hall has high hopes of another big turnout.

Mr Hall performs about 30 shows a year including one in the Dordogne, France, at which Eric Clapton backing musicians Andy Fairweather Low, Dave Bronze and Gary Brooker were also performing.

Tickets cost for the Gala show £15 (concessions £13) and are available from the box office on 0191-332-4041 and online at www.galadurham.co.uk

Mr Hall will also play on an Eric Clapton song during The Last Waltz at the Mill Volvo Tyne Theatre in Newcastle on Friday (September 19), a recreation of the last concert by Bob Dylan’s backing group The Band.

The details visit www.millvolvotynetheatre.co.uk