A PUNK rock gig is to be staged in memory of Mick Love, who was murdered in a bungled street robbery six years ago.

The father-of-two died in September 2004 when he was stabbed three times as he walked home along Cannon Street, in Old Town, following a night out.

Now his friends have now organised a concert at The Furnace nightclub, in Commercial Road, to celebrate his life on Saturday.

Concert promoter Dermot Fuller, 45, said: “We did one last year, which was the fifth anniversary after his murder, and it was a great success so this year we decided to do it annually.

“It gives a lot of his old friends the chance to get together, listen to some music and have a drink in his memory.

“It will be a good night, not a morose evening. This seems to be the best way to celebrate, it will be the sort of night he would have enjoyed himself.”

Mick’s concert kicks off at 7.30pm and will feature three bands.

The headline act will be Vice Squad, well-known in the late 1970s and early 1980s and one of Mick’s favourites.

Also playing will be Swindon punk rockers Charred Hearts, whose members all knew Mick.

The members are singer Dermot Fuller, bass player Eamonn Treanor, guitarist Lee Fellows, and drummer Sam Fuller. Also due to play are Cambridge punk band Freedom Faction.

Karen Love, 46, Mick’s widow, who lives in West Swindon, will attend with friends and daughter Aimee Love, 14.

“I think it is a great idea. I think anything that keeps Michael’s name in the press for whatever reason is a good thing because obviously we don’t want to forget him,” she said.

“I know they did a concert last year and it was a great night so I am going to go on Saturday as well.

“He would have loved this kind of gig because the bands are all from our era – the 1980s – and he was really into punk so he would be over the moon.

“I am sure that although he will not be there in body he will be there in spirit definitely.”

Tickets cost £8 in advance or £10 on the door.

To book tickets, visit the Rolleston or log on to www.wegottickets.com