An Ashby guitarist is preparing for a homecoming gig - after 20 years in one of Europe's top U2 tribute bands.

Simon Pellecchia plays with U2UK who will be appearing at Conkers on Saturday, September 17.

The band has performed all over the UK, Europe and Bahrain - but despite that, he says the Moira gig is going to be something special.

Not only is he from Ashby, but Simon is also a local business owner as he runs the Fitness Republic gym in Market Street with wife Sarah.

Which means there will be more familiar faces in the crowd that night for a band which has developed its own following alongside Bono & Co.

Simon is 'The Edge' in the group which prides itself on playing in the spirit of U2.

He says the idea for the band was born out of a well known TV programme from a couple of decades ago.

"We got together in 2001, and Matthew Kelly had a show called Stars In Their Eyes - our singer Paul went on that as Bono," recalled Simon.

"After that, he decided he wanted to perform a band. And we started in local pubs - but then we got a contract to perform in the Chicago Rock Cafes around the country.

"That gave us a lot of work and we were playing four nights a week for many years.

"We got some gigs abroad and actually played a U2 aftershow party in Amsterdam during the Vertigo tour.

"Soon after that, we had a photo in Q magazine in a feature on tribute bands - there weren't as many then as there are now.

"But we put a lot into what we do, and we've built up a reputation, we try to be quite authentic to the sound of U2 live as opposed to the records.

"It's rock 'n roll and our lead singer Paul can be mesmerising sometimes, he has that sort of swagger.

"We love playing as U2:UK, not just as a U2 tribute band."

Simon says the Conkers show will not only be a local gig, it will also be turning the clock back.

"In around 2003, we were booked to play at Conkers by the then management, which was before they had the canvas on top," he said.

"We played there in September and just missed the rain, but we ended up playing back to back there for around five or six years.

"But we didn't for one reason or another - so this is the first show we've played there in a long while.

"When I'm asked about my favourite gig though, then that's pretty much the No1, for atmosphere and the set up.

"We try and get our fans to travel to it - it sort of reminds me of U2's make or break gig at Red Rocks in 1983.

"People ask me if I get nervous playing on stage, and it's generally no, but when it's your home town gig then I do."

Simon says there has been no particularly celebration of 20 years together - but they have tried to mark the occasion.

"We've played a lot of festivals and gone back to some the old school U2 tracks," he said.

"We have built up an amazing following through out fans. It's magical when you get that coming together in one show.

"We played a gig at Chepstow Castle this year and I met someone who brought his 17-year-old son along who wasn't even born when we started out.

"Hopefully, it comes across that we're not trying to be U2, we just enjoy the music as much as the fans.

'The standout track for me is Bad and the one that got them kicked off into mega-stardom."