BOYBAND Busted provided an explosive opening to the city's biggest pop concert of the year.

Some of the 12,800 music fans began queuing at 5.45am on Saturday, to snap up the last few tickets for the XS2003 Music Festival.

The two-day event, at Worcestershire Cricket Club, proved to be a success, with a sell-out crowd for the pop concert on Saturday and a strong showing for Sunday's classical programme.

Worcestershire's cricketers could find the outfield more than a bit lively after Busted's brief but action-packed appearance on Saturday.

The pop rock trio had thousands of teenagers thudding into the sacred turf with their trademark high energy rendition of Year 3000, one of three numbers they performed in a small but perfectly-formed appearance.

The band delighted the crowd with their opening song That's What I Go To School For before sending them into a complete frenzy with manic renditions of Year 3000 and Crashed and Burned.

R&B superstars Mis'teeq, Atomic Kitten and Fame Academy's David Sneddon and Sinead Quinn also gave spectators plenty to enjoy.

"Brilliant. We'll definitely come next year," said Charley, aged 11, from Tenbury Wells, a sentiment echoed by sister Abi, 12, before mum Chris, 46, sheepishly admitted: "I'm here for David...David Sneddon!

Dazzling

The festivities continued at the classical event, last night, with Petula Clark giving a dazzling hour-long performance with the English National Orchestra.

The 2,000 strong crowd cheered, danced and waved their Union Jacks and St George flags, as the concert came to a colourful, noisy end with a spectacular firework display.

Conductor Jae Alexander led the orchestra through classic pieces including the March of the Toreadors, the 1812 Overture and The Hornpipe.

Soprano Sarah Ryan gave emotive performances of Rule Britannia, Jerusalem, and Land of Hope and Glory.

Jean Banner, of Cutnall Green, near Droitwich, was at the show with her husband, Ray, and six-year-old daughter Jodie.

"It was brilliant," she said. "I won the tickets from Wyvern FM, but we can't stay long because Jodie has to go to school in the morning."

Julie Brooks, of Bath Road, Worcester, said the concert was good, relaxing fun and something different for the city to enjoy.

"There should be more things like it," she said.

Simon Monk, programme controller for Wyvern FM, said the show was a success and it wouldn't be long before they start planning for next year's event.

"All the acts were fantastic and the crowd was great," said Simon.

"It takes a long time to put something like this together - there were hundreds of people involved in organising it. It cost £250,000 to put on."