Legendary band The Jam are to play their first gig in Brighton for 25 years.

The group - minus singer Paul Weller - will take to the stage at the Brighton Centre almost a quarter of a century after their infamous split.

Original members Weller, Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler parted after performing in the city in December 1982.

Bruce and Rick reformed in 2005 with two new members - singer Russell Hastings and guitarist David Moore - under the name From The Jam and embarked on a successful tour earlier this year.

The band will play the Brighton Centre on December 21.

Rick said at the time he did not realise the importance of the 1982 Brighton gig.

He said: "It really didn't sink in until quite a few days later that the band was over - that we'd split up.

"I personally didn't realise what it all meant at the time.

"Obviously, as time passed that changed.

"I remember the show went very quickly. The Jam gigs always did. But it was a good night."

Russell Hastings was in the audience at the 1982 Brighton gig.

He said: "I was only small at the time but I remember it pretty clearly.

"I remember the Wembley gig too. I'd grown up on The Jam and it was just all amazing."

Paul Weller has declined to join the reformed band, despite an invitation.

He has enjoyed subsequent success with The Style Council and as a solo artist.

Rick said the invitation stood and the band would welcome him, even if it was only for a guest appearance.

He said: "The door is still open. I don't know how Paul feels about that but we'd never say never.

"We're not going to let his absence stop us. When we got together in this format it all felt right. Bruce was available after being in another band. I wanted to get things going again and we started playing about five or six gigs in small venues.

"Bruce came along and did a guest spot for us and it just felt right.

"The audience reaction has been very good. The fans seem to want to hear us still and ticket sales have been great."

The band said gigs they had played so far had attracted fans of all ages, not just those who could remember The Jam's first outing.

The new generation is just as keen to hear classics such as Start, The Eton Rifles, Going Underground and Down In The Tube Station At Midnight.

Tickets for From The Jam's Brighton gig are available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk

  • See an exclusive interview with From the Jam here