FORMER Devizes Mayor Ian Hopkins fears the town will lose its blues club on its tenth anniversary unless people support the final two gigs of this season.

Mr Hopkins who set up the Long Street Blues Club to showcase talent from home and abroad says it has been suffering from dwindling numbers along with other live music venues.

He said: "We need to have full houses of 200 people for our last two gigs." On Sunday the Blue Caravan made up of Bernard Allison, Mike Zito and Vanja Sky will play at the club based in a back hall of the Conservative Club for a 10th anniversary party.

Mr Hopkins said: "It is not just us that are facing difficulties other venues are also under threat. We are not being melodramatic but this may be the last two shows after ten years unless people can help us out. We are urgently asking for help in making sure these final gigs are a success.

"We have been going now for ten years in May. In our opinion we have put on some truly memorable shows showcasing talent from across the UK, Europe and The USA. We have been a platform for many new artists like King King who were unknown when we first put them on and now they sell out 2,000 capacity venues. Joanne Shaw-Taylor is another case in point.

"All we require is some working capital at the end of each season in order to carry over and kick start the next season."

He said that when big blues names such as Colin Blunstone appeared at Long Street there was a sell-out crowd but people are not coming out for less known singers.

He said: "If we do not get the support for the up and coming acts we won't be here to host the big names. It has been a real roller coaster ranging from sell out to events where we have lost money. At present we are running at a loss and ticket sales for our last two gigs, especially the last one, are disappointing.

"If we lose money on these last two gigs unfortunately it will be goodbye from us which we are trying our best to avoid."

The final gig on May 11 will feature the Woody Pines Band from Nashville.

Tickets and full information on the acts is available from longstreetbluesclub.co.uk/tickets.html or from Devizes Books. Mr Hopkins said that if people ring him even on the day of gigs he will reserve tickets at the advance price which is £2 less than the door price.

He said: "We just want people to show up and support us otherwise the club will be lost and that would be a terrible shame.

Bernard Allison from the Blues Caravan is the son of the late great Luther Allison and has a worldwide reputation for his stunning live shows.

"We welcome back from Texas Mike Zito who blew everyone away when he last visited the club just over two years ago. They are joined by new girl on the block from Croatia Vanya Sky.

"Each will perform they then all get back together for one crazy Blues jam. There is no better way to celebrate our tenth anniversary.

"This show will be a must-see event, throwing together three stellar artists on one bill – then letting the chemistry do the rest."

Doors open at 7.45pm on Sunday and tickets cost £16 in advance.