AT the grand age of 68, Derek Morris seems an unusual figurehead for reggae music in the UK.

But the Bristol-based DJ has played at summer festivals Bestival and Glastonbury, as well as influencing the likes of Massive Attack, with his passionate love of reggae and black music.

This May Bank Holiday, the former accountant for Cadbury’s will be playing to 2,500 party-goers in Bournemouth for The Block Party club night at the Old Fire Station.

Taking place on Saturday and held across six venues in the Lansdowne district of the town, organisers have assembled an eclectic line-up of DJs, live acts and attractions for a 12-hour marathon all accessible with one event wristband.

Derek turned his hand to music in 1977 after giving up his high-paid job to DJ in the predominately black pubs of St Paul’s in Bristol.

“I turn up at a gig and there’s this huge queue.

“It’s amazing and good in some ways that it happened to me later in life,” says DJ Derek in his rasping Caribbean/West Country drawl.

The reggae aficionado is notable for MC’ing in a Jamaican accent while DJing, despite never having visited Jamaica.

He picked up the accent from a Bristol-based Jamaican barber, and it has since helped him be accepted in the black music industry.

“I still get this tremendous buzz on stage, especially when it’s a venue I haven’t played before. I assume it’s because there’s so much written about me on the internet, although I haven’t got a computer.

“People know about me before I even get in the place,” says Derek.

To get him in the mood, Derek has a tradition of enjoying a few pints of ale before he takes to the wheels of steel.

“I always have a few pints before I play, as there’s nothing worse than going into a place at 11pm when everyone’s been drinking and you’re sober.”

In fact, the DJ is particularly partial to the chain pub Wetherspoons – so much so that he’s visited every single pub in the UK.

“I love those pubs, you know the standard wherever you go and they’re always the cheapest place in town.

“I also like the atmosphere and I meet nice people without the background noise.”

“I keep in touch with the Wetherspoons head office so I know when new ones are going to open.

“Then I can time my gigs to coincide.”

During our conversation it soon emerges that Derek has yet another bizarre claim to fame.

“I’ve never wanted a car in my life and love bus driving.

“I’ve done every National Express route that they run.

“I like to get somewhere and explore the area, which I can do for nothing now with my free bus pass.”

DJ Derek is a true musical institution and a one-off.

Unless you can think of another real ale-drinking, bus-riding pensioner that can pack out a sweaty student club night?

Didn’t think so.

• DJ Derek will be playing at The Block Party at the Old Fire Station on Saturday, May 1.