Young and old show loyalty to Cliff

He may be a pensioner, but Sir Cliff Richard proved he still knows how to move it and groove it after 50 years in the business.

With six outfit changes and a jam-packed three hour spectacular, the 68-year-old showed today's music stars a thing or two about showmanship when his 50th Anniversary Time Machine Tour rolled into Birmingham's NIA last night.

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Fans travelled from far and wide to help the Peter Pan of Pop celebrate an illustrious 50-year career, which has seen him score a number one hit in every decade. The energetic show kicked off with a video montage of highlights from the bachelor boy's career, before the man himself burst on to the stage, looking and sounding almost exactly the same as he did all those years ago.

A "time machine" transported the audience through the years, taking in a string of his hits.

Sporting a hot pink jacket and sparkly tie, Sir Cliff kicked off the show with 1950s favourites Move It and Living Doll, before launching into the up-tempo Wired For Sound and Congratulations.

A high-octane first half was followed by a more mellow second period, in which the devout Christian explained the importance of his faith before launching into The Millennium Prayer.

Christine Greaves, 50, of Andrew Road, West Bromwich, has been a fan since she was just two.

"My mom and dad always used to sing Living Doll when I was little," she said.

" I once started queuing 17 days before Cliff tickets went on sale but after two days they gave us the tickets and sent us home."

She was joined at the concert by her daughter, 11, Eleanor Lawson, one of the youngest members of the audience.

"I've been going to see Cliff since I was six," she said.

Jenny Smith, 60, of Cleeton Street, Heath Hayes, said she goes to see the singer every time he visits the region.

And Canadian superfan Tina Kirkpatrick, 50, even travelled from her native Vancouver to see her idol in action last night.

Sir Cliff announced he will be hitting the road next year on tour with his former backing band The Shadows.

By Catherine Dalton