A LEGENDARY ska band’s 40th anniversary tour was saved from the brink of disaster, thanks to the good manners of a Teesside trio.

Bad Manners shot to fame in the 80s, thanks to the antics of lead singer Buster Bloodvessel and hits including My Girl Lollipop and Lip Up Fatty.

Just two days before they were scheduled to perform in Middlesbrough, the band was left stranded in North London when their tour bus broke down.

Super-fans and gig promoters Michael Hill, Chris Maloney and Ian Young immediately leapt into action to rescue their favourite act.

The trio had booked Bad Manners to play at Middlesbrough’s Longlands Club on Sunday and, worried the band may not make the gig, jumped into their own van and headed to London.

They spent the entire weekend ferrying the band from gig to gig before ensuring they arrived in the North-East in time to perform a lively set for fans.

Michael Hill said: “We heard their bus had conked out while they were on their way to a gig in Grimsby on Friday night so offered to help them.

“We drove down to London on Saturday morning, rushed them to Norwich to a sold out gig and got them there on stage in time.

“We got them to Middlesbrough the next day for our show before we dropped them off in Doncaster for their next gig.

“We did about 1,000 miles and got their Christmas tour back on track – they were over the moon.

“They’ve got more gigs lined up but we need a bit of a break so probably won’t be taking them – if they did give us a call, though, we’d probably still help out.

“We’re massive Bad Manners fans and it’s been a bit surreal being on the road with them, they’re quite unpredictable and a bit eccentric but a great laugh.

“There was typical rock star behaviour, with loads of drinking, having a laugh and not following the stage times.

“We got the full VIP, backstage treatment and got to meet Buster’s dog, Pip.”

He added: “Our main concern was that we didn’t want the North-East fans to be let down and we just wanted to make sure the tour could go ahead.

“North-East fans really love them and it was a great night in the end.”