Vin Garbutt has come a long way since busking around the bars of the Mediterranean coast in the 1960s.

The singer-songwriter, 61, is now well into his 40th year on the road and has an entire legion of fans that follow him to all ends of the earth.

Born in Middlesbrough he discovered folk music while still at school, becoming a regular visitor and performer at The Rifle Club before taking up an apprenticeship at the ICI Wilton Chemical Plant.

He took a big leap when just 21 though, throwing in his job and gambling on becoming a professional musician, a gamble that easily paid off.

In 1972 he recorded his first album, Bill Leader - The Valley of Trees, that really cemented his place on the folk scene and he hasn't looked back since.

In the mid-1990s he had two albums produced by Alan Whetton of Dexy Midnight Runners and worked with Robbie McIntosh of The Paul McCartney Band before winning the BBC Radio Two Folk Awards Best Live Act in 2001.

On top of his traditional and fun songs, Garbutt is also a strong protest singer, covering topics such as unemployment, abortion, deforestation, cosmetic surgery and the North/South divide.

Vin Garbutt, Croydon Folk Song Club, Ruskin House, Coombe Road, July 20, £10. Call 020 8660 5919 or visit croydonfolksongclub.org.uk.