SPOOF Beatles band The Rutles are preparing for a week-long farewell tour.

And the infamous anti-supergroup are calling in at Stratford for one of their last dates.

The Rutles began in 1975 as a sketch on Eric Idle's BBC television series Rutland Weekend Television.

That first sketch starred musician Neil Innes, formerly of the Bonzo Dog Band, fronting the group singing a Lennon-McCartney take-off called I Must Be In Love.

The sketch was so popular that the Rutles went on to make a film, All You Need is Cash, which is said to be the inspiration for the Spinal Tap mockumentary. The band also released two albums.

Now Neil and friends are saying goodbye to the Rutles with the farewell tour, which is stopping off at Cox's Yard in Stratford on Saturday, June 11.

Neil is heading The Rutles as the original Ron Nasty. He will be joined by the original Barry Worm, John Halsey, along with Mark Griffiths, Mickey Simmonds, Ken Thornton and J J Jones.

Eric Idle's involvement, organisers point out, consisted of miming his part in the film, so he won't be on stage as part of the band.

Cox's Yard venue manager Katie Beswick said: "Since the Beatles have apparently split up and the Rolling Stones charge too much, we're thrilled to put on the next best thing."

"Seriously," she added, "it's an honour to be playing host to such a major talent as Neil Innes on the Rutles' last ever outing."

She also said the concert was a good boost for local music-lovers. "Thanks to Cox's, Stratford is on the map as a destination for major bands now," she said.

Tickets are £12 and are available in advance at www.coxsyard.co.uk.