We all thought it wouldn't happen, but, bless my soul, we've been left very pleasantly surprised!

After much mysterious activity, the old Regal bingo hall is about to reopen - as, err... The Regal!

The Cowley Road landmark opens its art-deco doors as a new clubbing venue on Thursday, with an impressive line-up of top DJs.

The team behind the club rather charmingly refer to 'her' as "the First Lady of Oxford", and fittingly kick off proceedings with a man known as "the first man of carnival" - Sir Norman Jay MBE.

Honoured by the Queen for his services to music, including the creation of Kiss FM and the Notting Hill Carnival, Sir Norm will headline the grand launch party for the first phase of The Regal redevelopment, the Elite Room and Foyer.

Norman, will be serving up his world-flavoured beats to a select audience of 250 people along with resident DJs Kieran and Brett Hayes.

Future names to look out for include Alistair Whitehead, Graham Gold, Brandon Block, CJ Mackintosh, Darren Pearce, Hed Kandi and Fierce Angel creator Mark Doyle, and Bora Bora sensation Oliver Lang.

The launch party runs from 8pm on Thursday until 2am. Tickets are £5. See www.the-regal.com/bookings or call 01865 241261.