CHEMIST Ian Strachan leads something of a double life.

By day he runs two pharmacies . . . but by night he entertains admiring fans with his tribute to the singing legend Frank Sinatra.

Ian (46), who is also a qualified teacher and pilot, operates his chemist's shop from a 20ft portable cabin on the busy Walmersley Road shopping parade in Bury.

He also runs a practice in Widnes, but still finds time to emulate Ol' Blue Eyes in restaurants, hotels and weddings around the region.

And no one is more surprised than Ian, who has also fronted a show in Marbella with Phoenix Nights star Dave Spikey.

He says: "Believe it or not, I didn't realise I could sing until I was 40! I was on a stag do with friends and we landed in a pub with a karaoke. I had a try and it so happened that a guy who books acts was there - and he got me a job at the Imperial Hotel in Blackpool."

Ian says they had the application to open a pharmacy accepted on the basis that there was a great need in the area. "There is quite a large elderly population who don't always have access to their own transport." The pharmacy has proved popular with local residents, vindicating Ian's decision to open immediately, albeit in temporary accommodation. Building on a new pharmacy is about to start. He is hoping to be in by Christmas.

As for his other job'? "There's a real sense of disbelief. I'm quite a shy person and I'd never opened my mouth to sing in my life. If I'd known what came out at 20 who knows?"