AN ENDLESS stream of voices from hundreds of the world s top singers is promised when Joe Longthorne appears at the Alban Arena next week. It is his impersonation of Shirley Bassey for which he is best known – and even she has admitted, Joe can do me bet

AN ENDLESS stream of voices from hundreds of the world's top singers is promised when Joe Longthorne appears at the Alban Arena next week.

It is his impersonation of Shirley Bassey for which he is best known - and even she has admitted, "Joe can do me better than I can do myself."

Joe, who is appearing at 7.30pm next Wednesday, December 2, got his big break in 1981 when he was a finalist on London Weekend Television's Search for a Star.

That led to appearances at the London Palladium with Bob Hope and the Talk of the Town and a short time later, Joe received the Variety Club of Britain Award as the Most Promising Artiste of the Year.

During his career, Joe has received gold and platinum discs for his albums, enjoyed sell-out concerts at The Royal Albert Hall and toured Australia several times.

Tickets for the show are �23, available from the Arena box office on 01727 844488 or online at www.alban-arena.co.uk

l With the next World Cup looming, the 1966 winners will be taking to the stage of the Arena at 8pm next Wednesday, December 3.

Gordon Banks, Ray Wilson, George Cohen, Nobby Stiles, Jack Charlton, Roger Hunt, Sir Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters will be joined by special guest Jimmy Greaves and compere Terry Baker.

Jimmy will host the show in which the eight will recall England's unforgettable 4-2 victory over Germany that day.

Tickets are �40 and �25 and a �200 special VIP package is available from www.a1sportingmemorabilia.com

l Traditional Christmas ballet The Nutcracker is being performed by the Vienna Festival Ballet at 2pm next Saturday, December 5.

The most famous of all fairytale ballets, it is set on Christmas Eve. The audience is transported to a fantasy world where an army of soldiers do battle with a gang of mice and a wooden nutcracker transforms into a handsome prince who takes young Clara on a wonderful trip through a winter wonderland to the Kingdom of Sweets.

The Vienna Festival Ballet is a touring company that aims to bring the classics to all.

Tickets are �21 with OAPs �16 and under 16s �12.

l Rick Wakeman will be joined by special friends Joe Pasquale and Richard Digance when he appears at the Arena at 7.30pm next Sunday, December 6.

The occasion is a special charity show in aid of the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Charity.

Musician, storyteller and stalwart of BBC TV's Grumpy Old Men, Rick will be playing his only UK show until 2010 at the Arena.

He appears at 7.30pm and tickets are �24.50.

l A performance by Bill Wyman and his Rhythm Kings next Friday, December 8, is sold out.