TONE of the most iconic British folk bands of the late 60s and 70s, The Albion band, makes its first visit to the Regent Centre in Christchurch on Friday.

The Albion Band has its roots in British folk music aristocracy.

Legendary band leader Ashley Hutchings also formed Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span.

He was responsible for the seminal folk rock album Liege and Lief in 1969, based on traditional folk music.

During his time with these three trend-setting folk bands, Ashley mixed with some of the finest musicians of the era, not least sharing the bill with Pink Floyd and jamming on stage with the late Jimi Hendrix, who became a fan of British folk music.

Today’s Albion Band line-up includes Ashley’s son Blair Dunlop on guitar and vocals. He is a finalist for this year’s BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards and as a young lad was a rising star in the film business. He played the part of the young Willy Wonka in Tim Burton’s blockbuster, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory featuring Johnny Depp.

Gavin Davenport is on guitar, vocals, cittern and concertina. Katriona Gilmore is on fiddle, mandolin and vocals. She was inspired at age 12 by the playing of Joe Broughton with the Albion Band. Up until that moment Katriona had considered giving up the violin at school.

Tom Wright is on drums and vocals; Tim Yates is on bass guitar and melodeon and Ben Trott is on lead guitar.

The Albion Band have just launched their latest album, The Vice of the People, to huge, national critical acclaim and this concert will include a rich blend of British folk ranging from traditional songs to re-booted Albion Band classics and self-penned pieces.

The concert starts at 7.30pm and for tickets and details call 01202 499199.