WITH only days to go until the rocket man descends upon Worcester, organisers behind the city's biggest musical extravaganza are ploughing ahead with preparations to ensure it is a storming success.

Teams of workers began descending upon Worcestershire County Cricket Ground in New Road this week to begin transforming the cricket ground into a 17,000 capacity music venue in time for music legend Elton John to perform on Sunday evening.

Work began on Tuesday when sections of the arena were marked out in readiness for installation of the stage and seating.

Working in brilliant sunshine, labourers began laying out special matting on Wednesday, which will allow the crowd to be seated on the pitch without smothering or damaging the grass.

Preparations continued in earnest yesterday as a massive 120 tonnes of steel arrived for construction of the stage - a project that will take 42 crew members three days to complete.

The members' pavilion will be used as part of the backstage area and Elton will be using the committee room as his dressing room.

By the end of today it is hoped all of the 17,000 seats will be in place and the ground ready for any finishing touches to be made tomorrow.

Elton, who is renowned for his eye-popping costumes and hits including Candle In The Wind and Your Song, is set to perform in Durham tomorrow evening. Once his show is over, crews will dismantle the lighting and sound rigs and transport them to Worcester overnight to add to the stage on Sunday morning.

Worcestershire County Cricket Club chief executive Mark Newton said: "It's going well and everything's absolutely on schedule.

"We're really looking forward to it now as it gives all who work here a new challenge putting on something like this - you can't get many bigger names than Elton in the world of music!

"Secondly it shows people in the city we're not a closed shop and are keen to open up our facilities to them."

Gates open for Sunday's concert at 4pm, with support act The Storys playing at 6pm and Elton taking to the stage at 7.15pm for a two-hour set.

Motorists are advised not to attempt to cross New Road Bridge on the day as traffic management will be in place.

More than 16,000 tickets have now been sold, with under 1,000 now left, priced £40, £60 and £80. They can be bought via: www.seetickets.com or www.ticketmaster.co.uk or by calling 01905 337921.

l See tomorrow's Worcester News for your guide to getting to the Elton concert including information on transport and parking.