POP fans have started snapping up thousands of tickets for six open-air concerts set to rock the Reebok Stadium this summer.

Managers at the stadium say ticket sales for the Big Light On show have exceeded expectations since they went on sale last Thursday morning.

A line-up of music acts was unveiled by bosses for six shows being held in the stadium this July.

Girl group The Sugababes, blues veteran Jools Holland, West End star Michael Ball and a James Bond spectacular featuring ex-Spandau Ballet star Tony Hadley will feature in the shows being staged by a new events arm of the Burnden Leisure company which owns the club.

T'pau will top the bill at a celebration of 1980s pop legends and Liberty X will headline a night of chart acts.

Burnden Leisure commercial director Gareth Moores said: "We've had a fantastic reaction so far since we announced the line-up. We're not sure exactly how many tickets have been sold but the feedback from the ticket agencies has been very positive.

"We are planning to start an advertising campaign very shortly in the press and on the radio. But the early indications are that we are in line for a very successful and exciting series of events this summer."