THERE'S not a quiff in sight when the Bromsgrove branch of the Elvis Presley Fan Club gets together.

Instead of mimicking the King, the group, which meets every two months, describes itself as a "pledging our love" fan club.

Members celebrate Elvis's life, enjoy his music, reflect on what could have been had he not died so young, and are generally one big happy family.

Set up in 1994, the group is in contact with branches throughout the world.

President Helen Tipton comes from a family of Elvis fans. Her mum and dad, Chris and Mick Tipton, are active members of the club and her uncle, Bill Tipton, and his wife, Marina, have a band called Blue Suede.

Helen's Yorkshire terrier is called Memphis Blue Suede -- Bluey for short -- and is recognised as the club's mascot.

Each Christmas she receives a letter from Elvis's wife, Priscilla Presley, and daughter, Lisa Marie, as well as a complimentary CD.

All members of the club don T-shirts designed by Helen at the get-togethers, which include a disco, raffle, quizzes and a karaoke.

A six-foot tapestry of the legend takes pride of place.

One couple, Paul and Erica Stokes, who are members, named their son John Elvis.

They said: "John Elvis has his own fan club T-shirt and loves it."

Helen, who has visited Graceland where she met Priscilla and Lisa Marie, added: "I take great pride in being the fan club president.

"The fans' love and devotion for Elvis is an inspiration and so is their loyalty to him.

"He was a very special humanitarian and if more people lived as Elvis did the world would be a much nicer place.

"He is the King of rock 'n' roll but more importantly a very special guy who cared so much for those less fortunate than himself and spread joy through his music."