WITH a name like The Bachelors it is no wonder that the sixties Irish singing trio had an eye for the ladies. But the boys whose well-groomed image added the suggestion of a roving eye took the whole image one step further.

Their chart topping contemporaries like The Rolling Stones and The Beatles may have been mobbed nightly by hysterical girls but the Bachelors turned to the women who came into their lives for inspiration for a series of big selling singles.

For Charmaine, Marie, Ramona and Diane are more than just the titles of four of their top ten hits - they were real people.

The girls in question were all dancers from The Mirage Show Company, a troupe who appeared nightly with the lads while sailing round Norway on the cruise ship Ocean Majesty.

Naturally The Bachelors, which these days features original member John Stokes and relatively new recruits Kevin Neill and Jonathan Young, will sing all the old favourites when they make their latest appearance in Summer Seaside Special at Bournemouth's Pier Theatre tomorrow.

The popular variety bill also includes fellow sixties singing star Susan "Bobby's Girl" Maughan, the Oriental magic act Tensai and the comedian Stu "Crush a Grape" Francis.

The weekly show is the latest engagement in an eventful year for The Bachelors. Christmas and New Year found them playing Blackpool and then during February, March and April they headed down under to catch the end of the Australian summer and enjoy their annual tour of Oz.

Jonathan who does an impression of Bournemouth's own Max Bygraves during the act was delighted and surprised when while performing at the Twin Towns on the Gold Coast he suddenly realised he was face to face with veteran entertainer himself.

Max, who last October left his Bournemouth home of more than 30 years to enjoy a life of semi-retirement ( the emphasis being on the word semi) with his wife Blossom in Queensland, was actually in the audience.

John, Kevin and Jonathan invited the 81-year-old singer and comedian to dinner and enjoyed an evening in which the wine and conversation flowed.

The Bachelors tell me that Max sends his regards to everyone in Bournemouth.

As for The Bachelors they seem to be having a great time here too although I imagine that with memories of Charmaine, Marie, Ramona and Diane refreshed every time they step on stage John Stokes at probably pining for the fjords.

Summer Seaside Special runs at The Pier Theatre, Bournemouth, every Sunday until September 19. For bookings and further information call 0870 111 3000.