A HUGE contingent of 290 Elvis fans from as far afield as New Zealand, Dublin and the Isle of Man made their annual pilgrimage to Prestwick Airport to pay homage to the King.

The Elvis Touch - Glasgow branch of the Official Elvis Presley Fan Club, held their bash to mark what would have been the singer's 84th birthday.

Prestwick International Airport is synonymous with the singer, as it was the only place in the UK he visited when re-fuelling after completing US Army Service.

Some of Elvis' most famous hits, including Jailhouse Rock, were played at the special evening, with video footage on a big screen.

Acclaimed band Uncle Red also played a set which included Elvis tunes (Marie's the Name) His Latest Flame, Good Luck Charm, Hard Headed Woman, I Need Your Love Tonight and Viva Las Vegas, along with their own song, Come On Let's Go.

This year's event was timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the King's legendary Memphis Sessions, in which he recorded classics like including Suspicious Minds, In the Ghetto and Stranger In My Home Town.

Irvine couple Paul and Linda Downie organised the Prestwick event.

Paul said: "We had great feedback from the people here. English fans are accepting that Scotland has something in the Elvis world and that's why so many of them came along. Twenty-four years ago Linda and I came up with the idea of an Elvis dance at the airport and we're still here. We opened the spectators' gallery so people were able to see Elvis pictures and plaques. He's still so popular as he could cover all genres of music, like rock 'n roll, gospel and rockabilly. In 100 years' time we'll still have Elvis dances."

Uncle Red lead singer John Donoghue added: "This is the first time we've played at this gig although we were at the previous four. We got a good reception from everyone at the gig."