LIVE music is back at the Crown Hotel, Ringwood next week with a regal double-bill combining a sovereign of song with a Queen tribute band.

First on stage at 8.30pm will be young singer-songwriter Helena, whose rich and powerful voice is just as much at home with folk, blues, rock or country music styles, whether covers or her own self-penned ballads.

Accompanying herself on guitar, Helena is a confident live performer with a commanding stage presence.

One hour later The Queens, a tribute to Freddie Mercury fronted by local showbiz wannabe Colin Hemmings, burst on stage with their own kind of magic.

Colin was a stand-up comedian in the Bournemouth/Southampton area in the early Eighties, and went on to front local pop-rock band Dancing in English from 1983 1990. Signed to a major label, they were assigned to producer Chris Neil, working alongside Mike and the Mechanics, Sheena Easton and others, but the treatment he gave their material did not appeal to his bosses and the band eventually went nowhere.

Colin retreated to the real world (well, nearly) of working in an ad agency, but after fooling around miming to Queen one day, one thing led to another and he ended up on stage with the band at a friend's wedding and realised he could actually sing.

Eventually he put together a previous incarnation of the Queens, which went down well at Wimborne Rock Festival.

The new line-up, which appears at the Crown, was only formed this year, and features local musicians in a band who dress in Queen style, as well as playing their music.

The set includes classic Queen hits like I Want to Break Free, Under Pressure, We are the Champions, with the flamboyant Colin producing an accurate, but tongue-in-cheek tribute to the great Freddie Mercury.

Admission is £6 on the door, with advance tickets available to hotel callers.