MIRANDA Sykes, nicknamed the babe with a bass, is best known for her work with Show of Hands musicians Steve Knightly and Phil Beer, but she also teams up with mandolin maestro Rex Preston.

The duo will be performing favourite songs from their second album, Sing A Full Song, and some new material from their next project, The Watchmaker’s Wife, when they play at the United Reform Church in Highworth on Friday, May 15, from 7.45pm.

Miranda was born in Lincolnshire and started playing double bass at the age of 10.

She belonged to a country rock band before joining folk rock outfit Pressgang. She has also had solo success with the album Bliss and EP Sweet Pea.

Rex’s roots are in the Celtic bluegrass band The Scoville Units. In 2009 he competed in the Walnut Valley Mandolin Championships, in Kansas, USA and came home with a Weber mandolin for his efforts. He also worked with Cara Dillon on a BBC Radio 2 session.

The duo will welcome American guitarist Grant Gordy as special guest to the Highworth gig. Grant performed on their Sing A Full Song CD. Tickets to see the duo in Highworth from 7.45pm are £10 from 01793 762070 or visit www.highworthurc.org.uk. — FLICKY HARRISON