It’s not just this weekend when ghouls and ghosts will be abroad summoning up the spooky spirit of Hallowe’en.

Down at Hitchin’s Club 85 there’s a fright night planned for Sunday, November 8, and topping the bill is actor and singer John Altman.

John’s probably best known as Nasty Nick Cotton from the BBC’s EastEnders, but his career and his life have always been linked to music.

In his early days he rubbed shoulders with the likes of Motorhead’s Lemmy, guitar genius Jimi Hendrix and Who legend Pete Townsend.

He had a ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ part in the film version of Who rock opera Quadrophenian back in 1979 and in the same year he joined the Fab Four – playing George Harrison in Birth Of The Beatles, which told the story of the band’s formative Hamburg years before they struck fame.

It was during a cruise ship gig that he first crossed paths with Herts-based all girl rockers and Club 85 favourites JoanOvArc.

Guitarist Shelley Walker said: “We had a rock’n’roll connection straight away, so last year we invited John to perform with us at the Balstock festival.

“We had a great vibe on stage and, after a record company saw a video on YouTube, they wanted us to release a joint Christmas single.

“Wild One was a fun feelgood song which had great local support.

“This is the first time that we will perform a gig with John as a five-piece – it’s a special one-off event, featuring support acts hand-picked by the band.”

The set list will feature popular rock covers, as well as a couple of John’s own songs.

Community radio station SG1 Radio is hosting and there will be a collection on the night for the Helping Sick Children charity.

Doors to the Whinbush Road venue will open at 6.30pm and the music kicks off from 7pm.

Also on the bill will be rockabilly trio Guido & The Hellcats, punk‘n’roll icon and Balstock main man G La Roche, and magician Martin Cox.

Tickets are £8 in advance from local outlets and online, or £10 on the door. You’ll have to be 16 or older to get in, and photo ID will be required.

You can find out more about the gig and other events planned at the Whinbush Road venue online at www.club-85.co.uk.