Lowestoft rockers The Darkness will be driving home for Christmas with not one, but two gigs in their hometown.

The band will play The Aquarium on Claremont Pier, Lowestoft, on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 December.

Tickets for the opening gig are now sold out.

Owner David Scott told the BBC it was “marvellous news” that the band would open the 820-capacity venue.

“It’s a marriage made in heaven,” Mr Scott said.

He said building work at the £300,000 venue has finished.

“We’ve just got to add the sound and lighting systems and fire escapes down to the beach - so we’ll be ready in time for the gig,” he said.

“Originally we said the venue wouldn’t be ready in time, but the band’s agents said we ought to take them as the gig at Norwich UEA on 16 December had sold out, so I then said we would take them.”

Three members of the band, Dan and Justin Hawkins and Ed Graham went to school in Lowestoft, and a statement on their website expressed their delight at the announcement.

“We’re driving home for Christmas and have added to the tour our first ever hometown show... at Britain’s furthest East venue - the Lowestoft Claremont Pier,” the statement read.

The Grapevine, a website and magazine which covers the local music scene, said the venue was “much needed” in Lowestoft.

Publisher Sue Stone said: “Having a new venue is fantastic news for Lowestoft, because the town isn’t on the touring map for bands and it is much needed.

“It’s great that The Darkness are supporting it and it should get the venue up and running with a loud bang.”

In December 2003 The Darkness played in neighbouring Great Yarmouth after claiming they could not find a suitable venue for a gig in Lowestoft.