You'd get less for armed robbery - but after 20 years together rock band One Day Elliott have no plans to pack up their axes, and will no doubt steal the show at their big birthday bash on Saturday.

The Kent punk-rock-metal outfit's plans to celebrate two decades of thrashing riffs began as a simple birthday gig at the Red Lion in Gravesend - but interest grew, and with nine other bands involved the party is now a mini festival.

Singer Paul Richards explained the band were looking forward to marking the occasion with friends, fans and fellow bands.

"We wanted to celebrate the event because it feels like such a milestone, but we’ve been really flattered and surprised by the response," said Paul. "It started out as a normal gig, but it’s grown to a 10 band line up with an after party: it’s like a mini festival and there are even a couple of bands that have reformed especially for the occasion.

"It’s going to be special because I guess we’ve made so many friends over the years with the bands from the local scene so having everyone there together all playing together will be lots of fun."

The twenty year mark was also an occasion to reflect on the importance of being in a band for so long, alongside band members Richard Crooks (guitar), Pud Greenlees (bass) and Dan Purton (drums).

"It’s had a massive impact on our lives," said Paul. "Most of us have been in the band for over half our lives and, especially in the early years we were gigging most nights, touring all over the country. Most of our best memories and stories are thanks to the band, we’ve toured in America a couple of times and played with some pretty cool bands such as Feeder, Ash, The Fall, Zebrahead, Gary Numan, The Ataris.... to name a few.

"We’re really proud that we’ve been going for such a long time, especially as the whole thing started out as something not overly serious, and I think that’s been quite a contributing factor as to why we’ve lasted as long as we have."

And Paul said another factor keeping them together was staying open minded about music.

"We’ve never really had disagreements or musical disputes," he added. "We’ve always just written what we want and what makes us happy - the fact that so many people seem to like what we do is obviously a massive bonus.

"There are no plans to stop, all the time we’re enjoying writing and performing music, we’ll keep doing it. We’re just not as busy as we used to be but that’s cool, we all have families and stuff so a more relaxed gigging schedule suits us fine."

The 20th birthday event will raise money for Square Peg Arts - an award-winning local charity which provide theatre, music and arts activities and projects for young people and adults with autism, learning disabilities or social communication difficulties.

Other bands playing include 3DBs Down, Maven PhilAnthRopy, Victor & The Bully, Sum of Nothing, Strangeday, Red Light Runner, Antmonkey and special guest band The Bears and the Wizard.

The music starts at 3pm and an after party will continue until 2am playing old school nu-metal, pop-punk, ska & cheesy rock, with DJ Less Than Cheese.

Entry £6 on the door or £5 for anyone wearing a One Day Elliot T-shirt.

All proceeds will be donated to Square Pegs Arts.