BAY CITY Rollers star Eric Faulkner is heading up a host of musical entertainment at a charity concert at Dorchester Town Football Club.

The guitarist from the hit 1970s band will play a number of their popular hits such as Bye Bye Baby and Shang A Lang in a festival-style event on the pitch at the Jewson Stadium on Saturday, May 16.

The concert will also feature a host of other bands and will raise funds for local charities the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust and the West Dorset Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Event organiser Steve Charles said: “I have been running festivals and gigs for a number of years and I have been trying to get a gig here at the football stadium for quite a while.

“It’s such a great stadium that lends itself to these kind of events.”

Mr Charles said he knew the key to the event would be a headline act that would attract the crowds and appeal to a wide audience.

He said: “For the line-up I thought I was going to need somebody that would create a real interest and there has been a big resurgence recently in bands from the past.”

Mr Charles said that he was doing a gig with former Bad Manners bassist Nick Welsh, who suggested trying Mr Faulkner.

He said: “He gave me Eric’s number so I just phoned him up and he agreed to do it.”

The Bay City Rollers split up at the end of the 1970s but Mr Faulkner, 53, said his phone still often rings with offers and he has a busy schedule of events lined up with his current band this summer.

He promised a treat for those who attend the event at the Jewson Stadium.

Mr Faulkner said: “I will be playing all the hits and also playing some mad rock jig stuff on the fiddle.”

Weldmar’s fundraising director Caroline Nickinson said: “I’m sure I speak for the Motor Neurone Association as well when I say we are very grateful.

“Without things like this and everybody putting all their efforts in we wouldn’t continue to care for patients and to have someone like Eric coming down is really great.”

Other bands in the line-up include 3 Daft Monkeys,Party Animals, Who’s Afear’d, Colt 45 and local favourites Jigsaw.

Tickets cost £15 for adults, £10 for children and OAPS.

Details from Dorchester Football Club on 01305 262451 or book online at www.weld-hospice.org.uk.