A FESTIVE favourite is back and bigger than ever for traditional music fans in Inverclyde.

Tenor Alan Beck and wife Polly are bringing their popular annual Nearly New Year Show to Greenock Town Hall on Hogmanay and have expanded it this year.

Fans can now have a meal while enjoying live performances from the talented Greenock couple and local band Flung Aboot plus traditional dancing and the sounds of the pipes and fiddle.

There will also be a ceilidh through to the ‘bells’ and into the wee small hours.

Alan said: “Every year we’ve been doing the Hogmanay show it’s been in the Beacon but we wanted to make a whole evening of it.

“It’s a continuation of what we had at the Beacon but we’re adding to that.

“It’s starting at 6.30pm and people can come and watch the concert, which he had in the Beacon, but people can also come along, watch the concert and stay at a table for a three-course meal followed by a ceilidh through until 2am.

“But for those who want to come along for just the concert they can do that as well. It’s a new year extravaganza.”

Alan spotted a gap in the market locally for a family-friendly Hogmanay event several years ago and he devised the popular Nearly New Year show.

He said: “The idea originally was to have an event locally because as a family ourselves we didn’t want to go to Glasgow.

“Children are welcome — it’s a real family event.

“You will see traditional, Scottish, Hogmanay entertainment but with a twist.

“We’ll be accompanied by Flung Aboot, who are a great covers and wedding band and are all from Greenock as well.

“There will also be dancing, pipes, fiddle playing - again all from people who live in the area.

“It’s a real good night’s entertainment, a real Inverclyde show and it’s just down the road in the town hall.”

Wife Polly added: “Even our own kids, who are 17 and 18, have a table and their friends are coming along.

“A crowd of folk having a meal and a dance, it’s good fun.”

The show also caters for those who want to see in the new year at home.

Alan said: “People attending the concert will be home for about 9.30pm if they want to bring in the bells at home and have a steak pie.

“What we’ve found is that people want to come along to the concert because there’s nothing on TV for them.

“It’s a good, fun show and I’m really looking forward to it.

“We love doing this every year.”

Concert tickets are priced £18 from the Waterfront Leisure Complex, Greenock Sports Centre, Boglestone Community Centre or the Gamble Halls.

It’s £48 for the concert, ceilidh and meal and tickets are available by calling 638 362, 07885 658 324 or emailing enquiries@icescotland.co.uk