That's a landmark which will make many 20 and 30-something fans – like myself – feel old.

They might not enjoy the kind of commercial limelight hit singles like The Riverboat Song and The Day We Caught The Train attracted at the height of Britpop in the mid-1990s.

But they have quietly carried on about their business, producing albums packed with superbly crafted songs and fine musicianship. Next month sees the band play the Morecambe Dome as a warm-up for a gig at the Live At Loch Lomond festival in Scotland.

Frontman Simon Fowler says they have played in Morecambe before but "not for a while".

They have also previously performed at Lancaster University.
"We love playing at the seaside," said Fowler.

"A few years ago we had an 'End of the Piers' tour. On a tour you are more likely to go to places like Liverpool and Manchester but we have always tried to play the smaller places.

"We are expecting a good atmosphere for the Morecambe gig because there will be people who have not seen us for a while.

"And if there's not a good atmosphere on a Friday night maybe we should split. The live set is what we are for."

Fans can expect a greatest hits set, with Fowler admitting he has not written any new material since last year's On The Leyline album.

But he said the band planned to return to the studio early next year to record a follow-up and had no plans to call it a day.

"There's no reason to," he said. "I'm the only band member over the age of 40 and we enjoy what we are doing."

Fowler said he could not rule out the band following in the footsteps of the Rolling Stones by continuing into their sixties.

"We will keep on going while we can still walk onto a stage and as long as we don't fall out," he added.

Tickets for the gig on August 1, which starts at 7.30pm and is limited to over 18s, cost £22.50 and are available on 01524 582803 or 01524 406108.