Ben Rhydding'S Alan Silson has joined the re-formed line up of glam rock group T Rex.

Mr Silson has been recruited to play in the band which still boasts two members of its original line up.

The former member of Smokie (whose hits included Living Next Door to Alice and Pins and Needles) admits the move had not been planned.

"It's come about all of a sudden but I'm quite pleased about it. I've always liked their sort of music and I'm looking forward to doing it.

"I used to do a couple of T Rex songs in the early days of Smokie, when we were still on the club circuit.

"I used to sing them as well, so there should be at least a couple I know," he said.

T Rex were re-formed in 1998, 21 years after the death of charismatic frontman Marc Bolan.

Alan's link up with the group came when his friend Barry Barry Newby took over as their manager and used the studio at Alan's Ben Rhydding home to record a new T Rex album.

During that period, one member of the group decided to leave and Barry asked Alan to fill the void.

"First of all I thought it would be just temporary but now I'm part of the band proper," he said.

Since leaving Smokie in 1996 Alan has forged a successful solo career, also working with musicians such as Suzi Quatro.

He has also become a firm favourite with Bradford City fans after releasing a song which celebrates the club's promotion to the Premiership.

Alan's first 'gig' with his new band will be in Manchester on February 26.

T Rex then play at Pennington's in Bradford's Manningham Lane on February 28.

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