MUSIC lovers will get the chance to see the ultimate one man band when the Summer Days Festival comes to Clitheroe Castle in July.

For Mike Peters, frontman of The Alarm, will take to the stage armed with an array of gadgets which allows him to recreate the full rock sound of one of the great live bands all on his own.

Key to the set, on the opening day of the three-day festival, will be Mike's guitar dubbed The Replicator.

Mike said: "It looks like an acoustic instrument but flick the switch and it goes full on electric.

"It's the ultimate sound of what we were always trying to get in The Alarm when first started. Then we had two acoustic guitars with electric guitar pick-ups screwed into them.

"That's been refined now 30 years later and that adds massive element to show. I can flick from acoustic to electric without batting an eyelid.

"I've also got loads of tricks with two loop stations, a bass drum, a snare drum and even a harmoniser for my voice for backing vocals. It's an amazing amount of kit and I have learned how to use it as I go."

Although The Alarm are still touring as a full band with Mike at the helm - more dates are planned later this year - Mike has also been touring solo to recreate classic shows from the band's history.

"I've been presenting a set list played by The Alarm in 1986. It was an important show for the band as it was broadcast live around the world.

"When I'm performing something that is from the history of the group, as the only original member left, I prefer to do it alone so people can use their imagination to fill the gaps in

"Developments in technology now allow me to play it like it is a band."

Fittingly Mike will be playing the Love Hope Strength stage at Summer Days, named after the foundation which he set up after battling cancer. The foundation's motto is "Saving Lives - One Concert at a Time" and volunteers from the charity will be operating a stall at the festival to allow festivalgoers to register as possible bone marrow donors.

Mike is full of praise for the new boutique festival.

"I've played couple of golf events in Clitheroe and it's a beautiful part of the country," he said.

"In an era where there has been a massive proliferation of festivals, Summer Days has got a bill that allows it to stand out from the crowd.

"Hopefully it will attract lot of people as it gives them the chance to see a great cross section of music from emerging artists to established artists like myself.

"Across the board there is something for everybody which is what you want from a festival. It's a really good, solid music festival which is ultimately what it's all about.

"I'm sure will be great event and I'm just proud to be part of it."

Mike Peters plays the opening day of Summer Days on Wednesday, July 6. The day also features Simply Red, Gabrielle and the Steve Norman Band. Day two on Friday, July 8 will be headlined by Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra and also feature the likes of Caro Emerald, Shed Seven and Tom Robinson. The final day, Saturday, July 9 sees headliners Echo and the Bunnymen plus Everything Everything, the Lightning Seeds and Circa Waves among others.

The festival also includes a real ale and a gourmet food area featuring local suppliers.

For full line-ups and tickets, visit summerdaysfestival.com