A nationally-acclaimed singer and guitarist who learned his trade on the Pembrokeshire folk club circuit in the 1970s is returning to the county for a special concert in early September.

Arnie Cottrell came to Pembrokeshire to teach French at Pembroke School, but will be better remembered for his contribution to the local folk music scene, either as a soloist or as half of the duo Daddy Stovepipe with Texas blues musician Steve Howell, who was then based at US Brawdy.

Now a full-time musician who is equally adept on acoustic guitar, resonator guitar, mandolin and bouzouki, Arnie has toured and performed extensively in the UK and Europe. He has been the support act for top performers such as Keb' Mo, Eric Bibb and Martin Carthy, tours regularly with Richard Digance, and has appeared at the Larmer Tree and Cropredy festivals.

He has recorded three albums under his own name and one in Louisiana with Steve Howell, with whom he is still great friends.

"I am really looking forward to returning to Pembrokeshire and meeting up with old friends," said Arnie, who now lives in Southampton. "I have so many happy memories of playing at the folk clubs in Pembroke, Neyland and Haverfordwest alongside talented musicians such as Richard Askwith and the late, great Piet Brinton.

"And if it hadn't been for the encouragement of people like Lloyd Coles and Peter Pearce, still a great friend and a local legend, I might never have got started on a musical career.

"This gig is a homecoming for me."

For the concert at Burnett's Hill Chapel, Martletwy, on Thursday, September 2, Arnie will be joined by banjo and mandolin player Graham Bushell, another accomplished musician who also happens to be a cousin of the late Cyril Tawney, an iconic figure of the folk revival.

The music they play is described as a mixture of folk, blues, bluegrass and Cajun, plus a few French traditional songs which Arnie's former pupils might be able to understand.

Tickets for the concert are available from the Pembroke Bookshop.