The Searchers 'go out big' with Glastonbury final show

The Searchers first formed in 1957

The Searchers have made their Glastonbury Festival debut in what will be the Merseybeat band's "final show ever" after 68 years of performing.

Bassist Frank Allen said the four-piece, which formed in 1957, "couldn't turn down" the chance to play the festival for the first time before they retire.

Known as the "longest-running band in pop history", the Liverpool band had three UK number ones, including with their version of The Drifters' hit Sweets For My Sweet.

Speaking ahead of their performance on Friday, Allen said: "If you're going to go out, you might as well go out big."

Frank Allen and John McNally told the BBC the band had done 'four final tours' so far

He said the band, formed in 1957 by John McNally and Mike Pender, "tried to retire a few years ago, but they just won't let us".

"We've done four final tours and we've actually discovered the fun about it again," Allen said.

"We said no more, unless something important comes up that we can't turn down."

McNally said the band thought it was a joke when they heard they had been asked to play the festival.

"Of course we said yes," he said.

He said the key to having a successful career in music was to keep finding the fun in it.

"You've got to have a laugh on stage," McNally said.