STAITHES will become a sea of green and white at Easter, when fans converge on the coastal village for a visit from the Celtic Roadshow.

Up to 300 Glasgow Celtic fans are coming from all over the country to help celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Loftus Celtic Supporters' Club. The event is taking place at Staithes Athletic Club on March 26 and will include appearances by Celtic legends Bertie Auld and Tommy Gemmell.

They will host a question and answer session and regale fans with stories from their time at the club, including playing in the unforgettable 1967 European Cup triumph. Singer Patricia Ferns will also appear.

The roadshow, which travels all over the world, is coming to Staithes after the secretary of the Loftus branch, Eddie McNamee, contacted Celtic about the anniversary celebrations.

He said: "It's a major coup for us. It's the first time it has come to this side of the country, and we're astounded by the response we've had so far.

"We've got people coming from Aberdeen, Belfast and London."

He said hotels in Staithes, Hinderwell and Loftus had already taken a stream of bookings for the weekend from fans who had read about the event in the Celtic newspaper, of which 30,000 copies a week are distributed around the world.

The Loftus Celtic Supporters' Club was established by Eddie and his brother, Steve, in 1980. Brian Whelan, of Darlington, also helps.

The club has nearly 100 members who regularly travel to Parkhead for matches. They also raise money for local charities, including Daisy Chain and the Butterwick Hospice.

A native of Glasgow, Eddie, 52, settled in the Loftus area after signing for Middlesbrough Football Club as a 16-year-old. He went on to play for Guisborough Town and Whitby Town.

A limited number of tickets are still available for the roadshow, priced £22 including a meal. For more details, tel 01287 641264.