WHEN Elton John breezes into Wor-cester next month to entertain thousands of his loyal fans, it won't be the first time the flamboyant showman has set foot inside New Road.

Back in the summer of 1987, Elton -- aka Reginald Dwight -- enjoyed a day's play at the County Ground as a guest of his close friend, and Worcestershire legend, Ian Botham.

As if that wasn't enough, Elton brought with him a few pals from the music industry -- namely Eric Clapton, the late George Harrison and ELO's Jeff Lynne.

As our picture shows, the rock stars seemed to enjoy their day at New Road and rumour has it that, following the game, the famous foursome and several players decamped to a pub in Martley, where Clapton played an impromptu gig to dumbfounded locals.

However, the concert nearly never happened as, when a member of the group was sent into Worcester to purchase a small amplifier for the evening's entertainment, the music shop employee would not at first accept the credit card he was using.

The shop worker initially refused to believe the credit card belonged to a Mr Eric Clapton, thinking it was some kind of practical joke!

For the picture, see today's Worcester News.