The sounds of one of the world's top guitarists are coming to north Norfolk as a leading tribute band unleashes the blues rock of Eric Clapton.

Classic Clapton is a four-strong outfit, led by Clapton lookalike and soundalike Mike Hall, playing two hours of 25 hits by the man known as 'Slow Hand.'

The show at the Auden Theatre in Holt on Friday November 2 will span Clapton's career from his time with Cream, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, The Yardbirds, Blind Faith, and Derek and the Dominoes as well as his solo years.

Songs will include Layla, I Shot the Sheriff, Lay Down Sally, Crossroads, Tears in Heaven and an unplugged segment.

Mr Hall from the Newcastle-based band said: 'We have played at Hunstanton and Norwich in the past, so we have a big mailing list of fans in the area. We are pleased to be back in Norfolk, and hoping people will come to see us.'

He formed the band in 1985 - long before tribute bands really got off the ground - having been inspired by Eric's performance the Live Aid concert that year.

'I first saw Eric in the Club A Go Go in Newcastle when I as 14 in 1967.

'I had heard some of his tracks beforehand and saw him on Top of the Pops playing I Feel Free with Cream a couple of weeks earlier.'

After Live Aid he put an advert n the paper for musicians to join an Eric Clapton style band and became a lifelong fan.

He says Clapton is not only a top guitarist but also an 'under-rated singer whose voice has been getting better and better' and a good songwriter too.

But it was his guitar sound that was the key to Clapton's fame said Mr Hall.

'The distortion came after the clean thin sounds of the Shadows, and he could give it almost the sound of a human vice - playing 1-2 notes with feeling instead of 100 very quickly.'

Sounds of Clapton is at the Auden on Friday November 2 at 7.30pm. Tickets �14 from the box office on 01263 713444. More information visit www.classic-clapton.com