HE first wrote the hit song, In The Summertime, around 47 years ago.

And yet Ray Dorset of the legendary1970s band, Mungo Jerry, says he never gets bored of it.

In The Summertime is officially one of the best known songs on the planet - an anthem of carefree youth and summer - which has sold more than 30?million copies worldwide.

And Ray, now 71, who lives in Westbourne with his wife Britta, appreciates it will be still the highlight of his playlist when he performs at Southbourne’s Original Shake & Stir Vintage Festival on Sunday.

“How could I get bored of it?” he exclaims. “It’s an iconic song - the most well known summertime song around the world which gives me a platform to do everything else.

“I know it’s eclipsed everything else I’ve done - but I don’t mind. The fact it still makes people smile is good enough for me!”

Ironically, Ray never intended to go into the music business, he say it as just a hobby. He was more interested in electronics.

He bought a second-hand Fender Stratocaster and the next morning, he scribbled some lyrics. A few months later the BBC phoned to ask if he was free to appear on Top Of The Pops.

“I was working in a research laboratory at the time and I asked my boss for the afternoon off so I could do Top of the Pops and that was it, “ laughs Ray.

Although he wasn’t prepared for the song to be such a global hit, unlike some artists in a similar position, he understands why people still want him to play it at festivals.

“It’s a celebration of life and it means a lot to a lot of people. There’s something about the recording of the song that’s original.”

But although Ray still travels the world with his music, he says he feels very fortunate to be based in Dorset.

“I want to do as much as I can for this area - for me it is probably one of the best areas of the world, particularly on a nice sunny day.

“I’ve lived in Westbourne for nearly 24 years now and I feel we’re very lucky to live here. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”

However Ray has strong views on modern life and what he calls manufactured music.

“We are living in a terrible time at the moment, what with all that’s going on with politics, terrorism and the multinationals that are destroying our quality of life.

“Everyone is being lied to and ripped off and although a lot of modern music might be technically perfect recordings, they are bereft of any soul. I’m a believer in keeping it real.”

Now Ray is putting pen to paper and writing a book about his life as well as putting the world to rights, the title of which is based on one of his hit singles,You Don’t Have To Be In The Army To Fight In The War.

“I’m winding down now so the time has come to put everything together.

“But although I have problems like everyone else, I still feel very lucky to here. Every day I thank God that I’m still alive when so many of my contemporaries are not.”

Ray will be performing between 3pm to 4pm on the main stage at Fisherman’s Walk at the Original Shake & Stir Festival on the last day of the four day event, Sunday, July 2.

The festival will also feature some of the UK’s very best vintage performers and musicians across two stages at Fisherman’s Walk and also the Southbourne Grove Stage.

Bourne To Swing (11am to 12.15pm), Jitterbug Jive (12.15pm to 12.45pm), and Karl Lattimer (12.45am to 1.30pm), will be among the highlights of Saturday’s live music line up at Fisherman’s Walk followed by Hugh Budden (2pm to 3.30pm) Retro Rita (3.30pm to 4.15pm) and Rip It Up (4.30pm to 6pm).

Meanwhile on the Southbourne Grove stage there will be entertainment by The Land Girls (1.15pm to 2pm) and the Southbourne Community Choir (3.45pm) as well as dancing displays by the First Position Dance group from 2pm.

On Sunday there will be the chance to The Junco Shakers at 1pm followed by Mungo Jerry at 3pm to 4pm and Rockin’ the Joint will bring the festivities to a close.

The Original Shake & Stir Festival is rapidly becoming the South’s largest vintage experience, attracting fans from across the UK who flock to Southbourne dressed in their finest themed attire ready to jump, jive, and swing.

The Original Shake and Stir Vintage Festival is sponsored by Bournemouth Coastal BID, Brewhouse & Kitchen, and Southbourne-on-Sea Business Association.

For the full programme details, see originalshakeandstir.co.uk