FORGET Wembley Arena or any other of the country's top venues - McFly's Dougie Poynter would much prefer to be playing at the Cliffs Pavilion.

The 19-year-old from Corringham has helped the band secure seven number one singles and two number one albums in the last three years.

And he is now relishing their latest tour which starts this month and visits a series of smaller arenas before finishing at the Cliffs in Westcliff at the end of October.

"I much prefer playing at the small venues than the big arenas," says the former Gable Hall pupil.

"You can see virtually everyone in there and it's not really like that at the bigger places.

"You can see a few people and a few cameras but this way it's more personal and enjoyable. We can't take our inner ear pieces out because it's so much louder and often the crowd make more sound than us.

"It bounces around off the walls and you can interact with the fans as well. You can ask them what song they want to hear next and things like that and it just works out well."

McFly will again be treating those fans to their favourite tracks including Five Colours in Her Hair, Obviously, All About You and Star Girl.

But it will not be their first appearance at the Pavilion as they also appeared, in front of a sell crowd, back in April.

"Last time we went to the Cliffs it was a wicked show," recalls Dougie.

"The crowd were amazing and I'm sure it will be the same this time too."

Among those in attendance this time around will be several familiar faces for the base guitarist and that makes the Orsett-born youngster even more apprehensive ahead of his latest appearance in the area.

"My family and friends will be there because it's local but that makes me more nervous," says the teenage pin up.

"I can't really stand up there and pretend I'm cool because they actually know me."

Dougie himself is also used to being part of the audience at the Cliffs and that will also add extra excitement to the occasion.

"It's cool going there but it's a bit strange for me at the same time though because I remember going there for a school trip in year seven," he laughs.

"We went to go and watch Jack and Beanstalk and it seems strange that people are now coming to watch me but I'm looking forward to it."

The show will also allow Dougie to return home which is something of a rare occurrence these days.

He was raised in Corringham but now lives close to his band-mates Harry Judd, Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones in London and does not normally have time to head back to south Essex.

"I don't get to come back too often anymore," confirms the youngest member of the group.

"The last time I did was to buy a chocolate Labrador up near my mum in Corringham but that's the only time I've been back."

That is due to a hectic schedule which has helped McFly become one of the most successful groups in the country.

Subsequently, they will perform at 16 venues in just 29 days but that does not concern the bass guitarist.

"Touring is great and the best thing about being in the band," he said."Everything about it is just fantastic."

The buzz is what Dougie dreamed of during his youth.

He first joined a band while at Gable Hall and while that ultimately started his journey to stardom he does not remember too much about their music.

"It was kind of pop and punk which we did but I don't even know what we were called now," he recalls.

"It was something I wanted to do and I wanted something to happen quite quickly with it.

"Luckily I then saw an advert for a bass player between 16 and 21 and when I went along to audition it was McFly and I got in."

Those auditions took place in Covent Garden and helped form the group which first burst into the charts in early 2004.

Their first single titled Five Colours in Her Hair shot straight to number one but that was only after Dougie had worked tirelessly to improve his own prowess on the guitar.

"I first started playing it when I was 13 but I didn't actually get that good until I joined McFly," he admits.

"That's when me and Harry (the group's drummer) really worked hard. We practised every day for six months and really improved."

The pair are now reaping the rewards for that effort and endeavour but they show no signs of slowing down just yet.

The group are releasing a greatest hits so far compilation this November and a fourth studio album next month.

But Dougie's hopes for the future are not so much central to success.

"I just want to be happy," he said.

"As long as we're all still mates and can make music together then everything will be fine."