Maturing rockers stampeded during a Shakin' Stevens concert at Westcliff's Cliffs Pavilion.

Shocked audience members fled tearfully when fans surged towards the stage and blocked their view of the 70s idol.

Bruised Gail Grindell, 57, of St Leonard's Road, Southend, said she was virtually knocked out of her front seat. Among the jostling fans, at least their 40s, was a man more than six feet tall who trod on her feet and told her she was in the wrong place.

Weeks ago Gail queued for more than three hours to clinch prime £15 front seats. However, she and her friend Helen Sanford, of Eastern Avenue, Southend, were forced to leave after ten minutes. Others joined the exodus in tears.

Gail said the minute Shakin' Stevens came on there was a stampede.

She said: "I've been to all the 60s concerts at the Cliffs and everybody usually gets up at the end or stands up in their seats but I nearly got knocked out of my seat this time.

"I couldn't even see Shakin' Stevens. There were disabled people sitting there who couldn't see. One of the ladies was very upset about it. She was in tears."

Gail complained to the Cliffs Pavilion duty manager but said she got no apology, or her money back.

Cliffs general manager Chas Mumford said: "A small but significant number of people did go down to the front. It's not uncommon and tends to happen with artists like David Essex. Shakin' Stevens appeals to quite a mixed age group.

"I am waiting to speak to Shakin' Stevens's management because the artist does have a responsibility to observe a situation being created. My concern was whether there was any danger to public safety but there wasn't."

(Right) Bruised - Shakin' Stevens fan Gail Grindell and, left, the man himself

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

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