YOU'D be forgiven for thinking the Cellar Bar's blues night is the best kept secret in Worcester.

In fact, even the founder Bob Jones would agree with you.

"I sometimes think this is the most closely guarded secret in the city," he joked.

Blues night is held at the bar in Foregate Street on the third Tuesday of every month.

It brings together some of Worcestershire's most talented blues musicians and ardent followers. It is, basically, all about the music. And, best of all, it's free. Bob says: "I'm an old man now, but I used to run blues clubs in Birmingham back in the 60s.

"The Cellar Bar immediately struck me as an equivalent to the kind of venue that I used to hang out in when I was a 20-something.

"It's unique because it goes right back to the music. There are no prima donnas, no performers with egos."

This week, blues night celebrated its first birthday.

Playing alongside Jones's own outfit R&B Jones, were so-called Big Daddy of the Blues Perry Foster, Abie Budgen and 32-20.

Bob says: "I've tried to get away from the more heavily-arranged approach.

"That's important when you're asking performers to come and sing for free, which is what we're doing.

"At the same time you have an audience for whom you feel responsible. Somehow it always works."

Luminaries who have appeared in the past include Jamie Thyer of the Worried Men, Slidin' Steve, who Bob describes as "just about the best slide guitarist you've ever heard", Dave the Book Guy, harp and guitar duo Stuart and Barrie and Worcester-based singer songwriter Paul Rose.

To find out more go to www.bluesbullfrog.net. The next Blues Night is on Tuesday, July 17.