HUNDREDS of music fans will meet up in Swindon in September to celebrate local legends XTC.

A three-day event at the Steam Museum will bring together loyal fans from around the UK, America and Japan to honour the band's legacy, international hit singles and albums, and 40-year career.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of English Settlement, the album which featured XTC’s biggest hit, the UK Top 10 single Senses Working Overtime.

The 3,000-year-old chalk image of the Uffington white horse - thought to be the oldest hill figure in Britain - features on the cover of English Settlement, which convention-goers will get a chance to visit.

As well as a talk on the importance of the album, guests can try a beer brewed especially for the occasion - English Sediment - from Swindon’s Hop Kettle Brewery Co.

The event will feature live music, talks from XTC experts, film screenings and special guests including legendary record producer John Leckie, who has worked with artists including all four former Beatles, Pink Floyd, the Stone Roses, and XTC themselves.

The lineup of live performances will include London-based rock band Fassine - who appeared in the recent Sky Arts documentary about XTC -, plus Dance Guru, who bring a unique Bollywood-style interpretation to XTC’s music, XTC tribute bands the Fossil Fools and the Fuzzy Warblers, and Steve Tilling, who is currently touring in EXTC, with former XTC drummer Terry Chambers.

For many fans, the convention will provide the opportunity to meet up with old friends for the first time in years, while for first timers, it is a chance to make lasting connections.

The last fan gathering like this one took place in 2017 and sold out quickly, leaving dozens of fans unable to attend.

Organisers say this year’s venue gives the opportunity to offer more people chance to get involved, but tickets are limited and the weekend is again expected to sell out.

Organised by a small group of dedicated XTC fans with the support of the former members of the band, any profits from the weekend will be donated to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance, the charity chosen by band member Terry Chambers.

Tickets are on sale now and are exclusively available via the XTC Convention 2022 Facebook page www.facebook.com/groups/2657989814274246

Special convention discounts have been arranged for the weekend with local hotels Jury’s Inn and Travelodge, with booking detail available exclusively to members of the Facebook group.