THE power of volunteering and friendship helped reveal the chart-topping history of a humble day centre member.

John Lantree, 76, of Finchingfield, goes to the day care centre at Millard House care home in Bocking twice a week.

There he became friends with volunteer Peter Relegous, and thanks to their shared passion for music, revealed all about his rock 'n' roll past.

John said: “I played bass in a rock and blues band called The Honeycombs.

“We started off in a pub in Hainault playing one night a week but then it went to two and then eventually to seven and eight.

“We recorded a record and didn’t think much more of it. Then one day we heard it in the charts.

“It went up from number 40 to number five and then made it to number one.”

That record was the chart-topping 1964 smash Have I the Right?

The band went on to perform all around the world and toured with The Kinks, even performing at the same Top of the Pops show as The Beatles.

None of the residents or staff at Millard House knew, until Peter and John forged a friendship during Peter's regular visits to the centre for music workshops.

Peter said: “I used to buy John’s records in the 60s it is quite crazy really.

"I came here on a regular basis for 15 or 20 years a couple of times year but last year I decided I wanted to volunteer here instead.

“It is hard to put into words. I think I get more out of it then I put into it.

“If people come down a meet people there are so many interesting stories you get from people.

"The staff make these places amazing as well."

Debbie Tanner runs volunteer service Fans, who work with care homes across Essex to facilitate volunteering opportunities.

She said: “It is about trying to get away from the stigma of care homes because you only hear the bad tales from people.

“There is so many good things that happen in these places.

“It is about trying to involve the community. There are so many different ways to get involved.”

Visit www.fansnetwork.org or call 0845 0171095.