A super-fan father and daughter duo have organised a party for the city's Elvis Presley fans in celebration and reflection of his death 40 years ago today.

Gary Cooke, 36, and his 10-year-old daughter Marisa have kitted out their home in St Judes with wall to wall memorabilia devoted to the King of Rock and Roll.

With Gary's love for the Blue Suede Shoe's performer stemming from his childhood and Marisa's love and idolisation of him growing by the day - the pair decided to put on a massive party in his honour.

Tonight fans will turn out at Crownhill's Social Club for a night of music, film and tributes to The King.

The city's Official Elvis Presley Fan Club (OEPFC) Devon and Cornwall group will also be in attendance rocking Elvis t-shirts, hats with microphones in hand.

Gary Cooke has been an Elvis Presley fan since he was a small child

The pair who call Elvis their "hero" have travelled the breadth of the country going to "every gig they can" and struggle to choose a favourite song saying he made so many of such substance and meaning they couldn't possibly pick one.

Gary, the leader of the fandom group which formed one year ago, told The Herald: "I've been a massive Elvis Presley fan since I was eight years old and this is why I'm doing it because I just love Elvis.

"He was the originator of a lot of things - his style - the clothes - the music.

"He just encapsulates Rock and Roll. He encapsulates country music, gospel, rhythm and blues, ballads and he was an actor," the guitar player said.

"He's just my hero and I will continue to spread the gospel of Elvis wherever I go."

Marisa and Nathan Cooke as they prepare for the Elvis Presley tribute party

He added: "If I had to pick a favourite song of his it would have to be If I Can Dream because it was written at the time Martin Luther King was assassinated - there was a lot of unrest in America.

"When Elvis did his comeback special he wanted to speak at the end of the TV special to basically say everything is going wrong but if we all stand together nothing can break us down or make us faulter. "

Marisa added: "I'm a big Elvis fan because I grew up around his music.

"We try to get to almost every gig if we can. I think we celebrate our love for him a lot - especially at Christmas, mum and dad always have an Elvis stocking up."

Branch leader Gary Cooke, Treasurer Marina Weetman, Co-branch leader Marcus Weetman, Asst events organiser Bev Whitehouse and Events co-ordinator Martin Whitehouse

When asked how long Marissa had loved Elvis for she said since she was born and dad Gary explained this was because she had been played the soundtrack to Blue Hawaii since she was in her moses basket.

Every time it played she would fall silent as dad Gary said "Elvis calmed you down" but as soon as Elvis' silky tones were no more she would jump back to life and cry.

The family were lucky enough to acquire most of their memorabilia from a close friend but will often go out sourcing new items they have seen and do not have and often have loved ones buying them pieces they come across on their travels.

The Elvis Presley fan club, Devon and Cornwall branch including Co-branch leader Marcus Weetman, Treasurer Marina Weetman, Asst events organiser Bev Whitehouse, Events co-ordinator Martin Whitehouse and Branch leader Gary Cooke

The Rock and Roll legend Elvis Aaron Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in East Tupelo, Mississippi and died 40 years ago today, Wednesday, August 16, following a heart attack.

His ascendance to super stardom in the mid-1950s started a musical and social revolution... "Before Elvis, there was nothing," John Lennon once said.

If you want to dust off your blue suede shoes you can join the fans tonight at Crownhill Social Club AT 8PM or become a member of the OEPFC by emailing oepfcdevoncorn1977@yahoo.co.uk