AS the final ever Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds hits the stage, the man behind it says it is with a "heavy heart" he is stopping the tours.

Fans of the musical, based on HG Wells' 1897 science fiction novel and Jeff's 1978 double album, can see the live show at the Manchester Arena on Sunday.

Adding a new dimension and marking a spectacular finale, HG Wells will be brought to life in three scenes — aged 33, 53 and 79 — spanning the end of the 19th century and two subsequent world wars.

Jeff said: "It’s with a heavy heart that I’m stopping the tours as it’s been eight and a half years since we started them.

“It’s been a wonderful experience and a privilege.”

But the 71-year-old reveals fans have not seen the last of the concept.

He said: "As well as the CGI film, early in the new year, I’ll be announcing the real reason why we are ending the tours and I’ll be telling you the new direction in which we’re going to take the concept.”

Despite this being the final tour, Jeff insists he has not rested on his laurels and the show features remarkable special effects, including a three-tonne, 35-foot tall Martian Fighting Machine firing real flames into the arena.

He said: "I am always looking for ways to improve the show and keep it fresh and there have been some changes from the last tour.

“We have brought HG Wells himself to life in the form of Callum O’Neill.

“He his having his own say on things.

“In his first appearance, he is becoming aware of the acceptance of his book, he realises that it is visionary and he questions the ideals of warfare.

“The message is more relevant today.

“We also have some new effects and CGI and even a new song in the second half which is very moving.

“In short, this tour sees our biggest development of the arena tour since we began.”

The original album, which won two Ivor Novello awards, spent the equivalent of more than five years in the charts, reaching the top five, featuring the voice of Richard Burton, and stellar vocal performances by Justin Hayward, Phil Lynott, David Essex and Julie Covington.

Calling upon many of the artists from the album, Jeff created a mammoth production in 2006 involving CGI, live-action, a full orchestra and rock band to bring the story of a Martian invasion of Earth to life.

This current tour features a holographic recording of Liam Neeson as the Narrator, Jason Donovan as Parson Nathaniel, Westlife’s Brian McFadden as the Sung Thoughts of The Journalist, Carrie Hope Fletcher as the Parson’s wife Beth and The X Factor winner Shayne Ward as the Artilleryman.

Jeff said: "A lot of my heart and soul has gone into this and I hope that the audiences will see and appreciate the differences.

“I’m very much excited by it.”

Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of the Worlds — The Final Arena Tour will be at the Manchester Arena on Sunday .