The pair will perform intimate acoustic sets at a specially arranged show at Preston's 53 Degrees on December 4. They will play at Lancaster Library the following night.

Walsh's unique voice has helped to give his band, Starsailor, four albums in the UK charts and 10 Top 40 singles over the last eight years.

He grew up down the road in Chorley and first became interested in music while a pupil at St Michaels School, in the town.

Russ Carlton, spokesman for 53 Degrees, said: "Growing up just down the road in Chorley, this will be a virtually home town gig for James which is bound to bring something a little special to what is already a unique intimate show.

"I have seen him years ago playing with one of his former bands and it's really good to see someone that you first saw performing in a Chorley pub up there on the 53 Degrees stage."

Ex-Lightning Seeds main man Ian Broudie is most famous for his work in The Lightning Seeds in the early 1990s.

He released his critically acclaimed first solo album, Tales Told, in 2004. The pair have booked just three of these shows together so far, with the others in Nottingham and Northampton.

Tickets cost £16.50 and went on sale yesterday from Students' Union Reception on 01772 893000, or Action Records, Church Street, Preston, on 01772 258809. They can be bought online at www.lancashiretickets.com or www.53degrees.net and also from www.seetickets.com or www.ticketline.co.uk

Lancaster Library tickets are available from 0871 2200 260.

Don't forget to pick up your all new look Saturday Lancashire Evening Post