Record numbers expected for 80s gig

Ticket sales for Shrewsbury's 80s concert have rocketed to more than 7,000 and could soon reach record numbers, organisers said today.

The nostalgic concert, which will see the likes of Rick Astley, Bananarama, Carol Decker and Toyah take to the stage, will take place in Shrewsbury's Quarry on July 12.

Organisers have been forced to order more toilets, security guards and more stewards as the tickets continue to fly from the Box Office.

Chris Bailey, of IML Concerts, said: "We have sold in excess of 7,000 tickets already and we fully expect to reach 9,000. It has been brilliant, an extraordinary response. We have been overwhelmed by the sales so far and are expecting more."

The concerts in the Quarry have always attracted large crowds with more than 5,000 turning out for Beverly Knight and Lemar last year. The record number of sales so far was when Will Young entertained a crowd of 7,600, closely followed by the Sugababes who attracted 7,600.

Tickets are selling slower for the Katie Melhua concert taking place on July 10.

Mr Bailey said he had already seen record sales for the 80s Here and Now concert after selling 900 in one week and urged people who would like to go to pick up their tickets soon.

"All it takes is for another couple of surges like that and the tickets could be close to selling out, the Quarry has a 10,000-people capacity for these concerts," he added."

Tickets, priced at £32.50 for adults, £20 for children aged five to 15, and free for under fives, are on sale from IML Concerts on (01603) 660444, the Midland Box Office on 0870 320 7000, or online at www.imlconcerts.co.uk.

They are also available from The Music Hall in Shrewsbury, Oswestry Mile End tourist information centre, and Oakengates Theatre in Telford.