YORK ukulele collective The Grand Old Uke of York are currently warming up to play the famous Cavern Club.

The thrashers are on the bill for celebrations to mark the 75th birthday of late-Beatle George Harrison, who wrote hits such as Something and While My Guitar Gently Weeps.

The Liverpool club is hosting its second annual ukulele festival this Sunday in honour of George, who was a huge uke fan and a member of both the Ukulele Society of Great Britain and the George Formby Society.

Band founder Naomi Wells Smith said: "It's such a privilege to be asked to perform. George took the ukulele very seriously.

"It will be a first for the group to perform at the Cavern and a fantastic way to kick start 2018."

Monday, February 26 also sees the launch of the band's charity single in aid of St Leonard's hospice - recording of the Status Quo classic, Rockin' All Over the World.

Download the single at www.grandoldukeofyork.com.