The former Beautiful South frontman will play a string of gigs in pubs across the country to celebrate the traditional British pubs as he promotes his forthcoming solo album.

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Heaton said the 16-date tour combined his twin loves of pub-going and cycling, and he is encouraging fans to get off the wagon and into the saddle by inviting them to pedal along with him.

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Heaton, who has sung about his love-hate relationship with drinking, is also trying to schedule a visit to one of Britain's most famous pubs, Coronation Street's Rovers Return,

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He pieced the tour together after placing ads in The Publican newspaper and the Campaign For Real Ale (Camra) newsletter asking for venue suggestions.

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Heaton, 47, who first found fame alongside Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim, in The Housemartins, said: "I'm looking forward to pedalling around the country to promote cycling and the British pub. Both are very close to my heart.

"I've been cycling all my life and the British pub has provided most of my favourite stop off points. It saddens me to hear about so many pubs closing on a weekly basis so I want to do all I can to get people back to their local."

He will kick off the tour by playing the Flying Horse in Rochdale on May 5.