A CABARET bar in Blackburn is fast becoming a smash hit with crowds across the region.

Tony Bromwich, with his partner Tom, has turned The White Bull, in Livesey Branch Road, into a must-see attraction for stag and hen parties, or anyone merely interested in a colourful weekend night out.

Veteran drag performer Chris D Bray, who has been a regular at Funny Girls iand the Flying Handbag in Blackpool and made TV appearances in Coronation Street, Emmerdale and The Royal, hosts regular karaoke spots there.

Her karaoke turns at the hostelry come with a warning that those easily offended might want to stay away. But plenty still come back for more each week, since she made her debut in February.

And The White Bull's Friends of Dorothy spectaculars, featuring Miss Jay Scott, David Dales and James Hughes, backed by resident DJs Marie La Rae and Blake Maxwell, have also been packing in the punters.

Their last outing raised £130 to be donated to Ightenhill Primary in Burnley, where tragic teaching assistant Lindsay Birbeck worked. Another all-star night is planned for October 26.

Marie, who originally comes from Horwich and has made regular appearances on the main stages at Manchester, Blackpool and Bolton Prides, is another returning star.

Several acts will appear over the course of their regular Friday, Saturday and Sunday showcases, with the performances usually beginning around 7.30pm, though the bill tends to start earlier on matchdays.

Tony, who has been in the licensed trade for more than 20 years and took over at the Blackburn venue around 18 months ago, said: "We are attracting customers from all over the north west, including Blackpool, Bolton and Preston.

"This is the only show, other than one other date in Manchester, which Chris D Bray is doing now.

"This is something that we have wanted to do for a while and it really seems to have taken off here. It's attracting all kinds of crowds every week."

East Lancashire has not seen a similar style of entertainment, on a regular basis, since the demise, several years ago, of the former Guys As Dolls showbar, in Burnley's St James Street.