This year a blues club that was founded by a Kent man is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Blues with Bottle Club is a free blues club which was started by Doug Revell in 1994 at the Anchor, his local pub in Sevenoaks.

When Mr Revell sadly died of cancer in 2005 his wish was for the club to continue. His wife Sue and daughter Emily felt a responsibility to keep the music going and took over organising the events.

The club meets every first and third Wednesday of the month and after weathering many storms along the way, is now thriving.

Local, national and international blues musicians perform regularly and are now bringing the performances to other venues in Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells.

After Mr Revell's passing, the blues club was a sporadic arrangement but with help and support from a network of friends, promoters and musicians, they managed to get the club going again.

Sue formerly of Gordon Road in Sevenoaks, said: "I really wanted to keep the club going as it was something that Doug had enjoyed doing so much.

"He was really into blues and knew what he was doing, so I had big boots to fill.

"At first I found it difficult to organise as I had a lot to learn, but I think over the years I have acquired an ear for music. I have booked some bands that I think Doug would have really liked.

"It's a lovely feeling running the club because friends of Doug still attend every time and everyone seems to know each other, there's a real nice atmosphere."

Due to its popularity among musicians there is now a year-long waiting list for bookings.

The club stages regular events at the Stag Community Arts Centre in Sevenoaks including acts such as Watermelon Slim, Brett Marvin and the Thunderbolts - Doug’s all-time favourite band.

Sue has previously brought the blues to Tunbridge Wells, in the form of an occasional Friday Blues night at two venues; The Beacon Bar and Restaurant in Tea Garden Lane and the Cross Keys Pub in St John's Road where shows are held every first Friday of the month.

"Doug was really into blues and knew what he was doing, so I had big boots to fill" - Sue Revell

Over the past year the club has become a partner of Sevenoaks Area Mind and is forming a local skiffle band in a bid to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health.

It is free to anyone wishing to join and aims to give participants an uplifting, creative and enjoyable experience making music.

Sue, who now lives in East Sussex but is a volunteer for Sevenoaks Area Mind, added: "The skiffle band is such a great project, it really gets people involved and aims to raise awareness and challenge the stigma of mental health in Kent. The charity does fantastic work and really helps those who need support."

"Ambassadors for the charity and skiffle band are people who have previously suffered from mental health and feel confident enough to speak about their problems and really help others."

Blues with Bottle Club will be at the Beacon Bar for the last time and Restaurant on Friday, September 19 and will return to the Stag Plaza on Saturday, September 27 with The Big Blue.

For tickets call the Stag Box Office 01732 450175 or visit www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk

For more info on Blues with the Bottle visit: http://www.blueswithbottleclub.co.uk/ or http://www.sevenoaksareamind.org.uk/