Lesley Garrett in sold out Market Drayton concert tonight

Opera singer Lesley Garrett is to take to the stage in Shropshire today to perform in front of a sell-out audience.

The star is celebrating 30 years in showbusiness with a national tour and she has included the Festival Drayton Centre in Market Drayton on her list of venues.

Bosses at the centre, which recently underwent a £200,000 revamp, say tickets have sold out for the event which will start at 7.30pm.

The singer recently starred in musicals Carousel and The Sound of Music. She has also appeared on television in Strictly Come Dancing, Loose Women and Who Do You Think You Are?

Tonight she will reminisce about her varied career and take questions from the audience.

She will also sing a few of her most special songs with accompaniment at the piano and lift the lid on her life on the stage.

Since the venue's refurbishment and extension was completed in October, bosses have been attracting bigger and better acts.

Strictly Come Dancing star Ann Widdecombe and 1970s band Showaddywaddy have both appeared at the venue in sell-out shows.

Staff at the centre say they are looking forward to welcoming the singer to Market Drayton.

Glyn Jackson, centre manager, said: "The show sold out months ago.

"It is yet another big name appearing at the centre.

"We try to get the biggest names in showbusiness to perform at the venue."