Brendan Shine, Eye Community Centre, last nightIRISH country legend Brendan Shine and his band broke away from their British tour - to celebrate a double birthday bash for a well-known Ipswich area couple.

Brendan Shine, Eye Community Centre, last night

IRISH country legend Brendan Shine and his band broke away from their British tour - to celebrate a double birthday bash for a well-known Ipswich area couple.

George and Kitty Utting, of Bucklesham, organised a celebration for more than 150 friends and relatives who came from many parts of the country to join in a barnstorming evening.

The Eye venue has become hugely popular on the Suffolk country map in recent years and every Sunday the Town Moors Music Club brings in some impressive acts. Anne Breen appears there in April and Raymond Froggatt is on stage in June.

Brendan and Co turned on the style for George and Kitty - and the dancefloor quickly filled with revellers.

The accordion wizard, ably helped by drummer/singer Johnny Dawson, has been on the road for 34 years now - but never tires of entertaining his fans.

Daughter Emily joined the band after the death of Brendan's brother, Owen, four years ago. The band's new CD, out later this month, appropriately is called Like Father, Like Daughter.

In a three-part set, Brendan and the gang showed why they have been so durable and well-loved over the last five decades. Favourites on the night were the haunting, Home Town in Athlone, Manchester Lady and My Son.

Big surprise at the end of a great night was the band presenting the birthday couple with a cake and the couple themselves raising £300 for the East Anglian Air Ambulance through a raffle.

The Brendan Shine Band will not leave Suffolk just yet. They perform two concerts in Bury St Edmunds, on the afternoon and evening of Sunday, March 24.

NJP

Ticket details from Pat H on 01379 870134.