A FORMER Flintshire student, now an established New Zealand music artist, is taking part in a special one-off live performance for old school friends during a return to the region.

As a 14-year-old, Paul Lightfoot, previously from Hawarden, only dreamed of playing the guitar in a band, before emigrating to Auckland, New Zealand with his parents in May 1974.

Paul, who went to Hawarden High School and Deeside Senior High School, said: "Back then it was only air guitar I played and pretended to play along to my favourite Glam Rock bands such as Mud and The Sweet.

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"After school I'd go around to a mate's place in Queensferry and we'd pretend and dream of forming a band, even though I couldn't play a single note."

That all changed though when Paul moved to New Zealand, and he got his first guitar, and by 1978 he was playing in his first Auckland new wave band, The Modes. By 1984 he was the guitarist in top New Zealand pop group The Mockers, with a Number One single, Forever Tuesday Morning, in the New Zealand Singles Charts.

Paul said: "I went from being in a few different unknown NZ touring bands, to being in this hugely popular band The Mockers and needing security guards to keep screaming teenage schoolgirls at arm's length. Seriously, it was the NZ version of being in the Bay City Rollers Rollermania."

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Now, Paul has returned to Hawarden for a long overdue family visit and catch up with old school friends and he's planning to perform a solo one-off live gig for family and friends on Friday, June 14, at Caffi Isa, Myydd Isa, near Mold, from 7.30pm-10pm. There will be food available, plus a bar.

If you went to Hawarden High School or Deeside Senior High School with Paul, from 1970-1974, he would love you to come to the gig and catch up.

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Paul added: "I haven't been back to Hawarden and Deeside for so long, actually since 1989, and I can't wait to catch up with old friends and family. It will probably be the last time as well, as I'm no spring chicken."

Paul will be performing material from his current touring tribute band band 'not THE CHURCH... but damn close' - performing songs from iconic Australian band The Church, as well as new original song material from Paul's band Pure.

• If you'd like to catch Paul while he is visiting the area, you can Message him on facebook - facebook.com/paul.lightfoot.9 or go along to see him perform at Caffi Isa, before he flies back to New Zealand.