LEGENDARY reggae stars UB40 will be performing in Carlisle next month as part of their biggest UK tour for over three years.

The announcement of the tour follows the success of the band’s latest Top 30 album Getting Over The Storm, which was named BBC Radio 2’s Album Of The Week and received five-star reviews from the UK’s music press on its release in September 2013.

UB40’s Robin Campbell said “Having suffered a few setbacks recently, including our drummer Jimmy and percussionist Norman’s health issues, we're now firing on all cylinders and itching to get out on the road."

UB40 formed in 1978 in Birmingham. The band have had more than 50 singles in the UK chart, and has also achieved considerable international success. They have been nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album four times, and in 1984 were nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Group.

One of the world's best-selling music artists, UB40 have sold over 70 million records.

Their hit singles include their debut Food for Thought and two US Billboard Hot 100 number ones with Red Red Wine and Can't Help Falling in Love. Both of these also topped the UK Singles Chart, as did the band's version of I Got You Babe.

The ethnic make-up of the band's original lineup was diverse, with musicians of English, Scottish, Irish, Yemeni and Jamaican parentage. Ali Campbell left the band in 2008 after 30 years and has since released four reggae-themed solo collections, along with Virtue, who left UB40 soon after Ali, joining him on keyboards. Astro remained with the original band until November 2013, when he left to team up again with Campbell and Virtue in a new version of UB40.

They perform at The Sands, Carlisle, on November 27.