A US rock band are returning to Kent after eight years away – much to the delight of the lifelong fan who booked them to appear.

Wheatus – most famous for their 2000 hit Teenage Dirtbag - are playing at Margate’s Olby’s Creative Hub in King Street on October 17.

Steve Warrington, the venue’s manager, spoke of his excitement to be bringing the band back to Kent – noting it had been 10 years since they played in Margate.

“I’m a lifelong Wheatus fan so to be able to bring them back to Margate for a (should be) sold-out show, is pretty awesome,” began the 30-year-old.

“I have never seen the band live, due to multiple health issues, uni commitments or other logistical problems, meaning I've always missed their UK shows.

“So to be able to pull the strings to make this show happen fills me with huge joy and I cannot wait to be screaming Teenage Dirtbag at the top of my lungs with a sold-out room at Olby's.”

The gig is believed to be close to selling out, with more than 300 of the 340 tickets already sold.

Olby's has been present in the seaside town for 22 years - previously branded The Westcoast Bar - and is known for its hosting of soul, ska, reggae and rock events.

Explaining his love for Wheatus, who have seen their music featured in major Hollywood films, Steve told KentOnline it stems from his childhood.

“I was seven years old when I heard Teenage Dirtbag - in the late 1990s and early 2000s mainstream radio wasn't playing a lot of guitar-based music,” he said.

“I was more into the likes of S Club 7, and all of the school disco classics, but hearing Teenage Dirtbag changed what I liked about music; it spurred me to save up my pocket money and buy the Wheatus album.

“I credit Wheatus as being one of the main reasons I got into music and why I play guitar today and I still have the CD to this day.”

The band have history in the county, having seen their tour bus slapped with a parking fine in 2015 when performing in Deal.

Police were called after shoppers complained about the way the vehicle was parked in the St Ethelburga’s Co-op car park as they performed at The Hole in the Roof in Queen Street.

When the police were called to the scene, the coach driver was on a legally required nine-hour break and could not move the vehicle. The band claimed The Hole in the Roof was responsible for obtaining council permission for coach parking.

A spokesman for Wheatus said: “Our driver would never park somewhere hazardous or deliberately inconsiderate to the public.”