THOUSANDS of music fans watched chart-topping girl band the Sugababes at a £1million entertainments centre in St Osyth.

Keisha Buchanan, Heidi Range and Amelle Berrabah were greeted by an estimated 2,000 revellers at the opening night at Seawick Holiday Park’s the Venue on Saturday.

Organisers said the event has put the venue on the map and have promised more big names in the future.

Some fans were left frustrated at having to wait for the Sugababes to perform and said they were confused about the queuing system at the box office.

Sarah Cooper, 33, of Clacton, attended with her daughter Georgia and her friends Emi McGlone and Cerys Winwood, all 13.

Mrs Cooper said: “We were squashed like sardines and were waiting for three hours for the Sugababes to come on. The ticket said 7pm and we thought it was going to start at 7pm.

“A young girl I took with me was overheating and there was pushing and shoving.

“But we did think that when they came on it was absolutely brilliant.”

John Flack, head of entertainment for Park Holidays UK, said: “As the first event in a brand new venue we felt it went really well and I think the girls did particularly well.

“This is a very high profile act who came to what could be classed as a holiday park in St Osyth village, so it could be perceived as a great thing.”

Mr Flack said hip-hop group N-Dubz are to appear at the Venue, although no date has been confirmed.

Talks are also underway for girl band the Saturdays to perform.

He said a lot had been learned from the night, including improving air-conditioning and the procedure at the box office.

“The girls said they had a fabulous time on stage and really enjoyed it,” he added.

The Sugababes kicked off their hour-long set with Hole in the Head.

As the performance, which included Freak Like Me and Push the Button, concluded, fans spoke of their highlights.

Zoe Symonds, 25 , of Clacton, said: “I thought it was fantastic, really really good. I loved it.

“Here Come the Girls and About You Now were my highlights.”

Friends Rowena Lumber and Mary Miller, both 23 and originally from Weeley, had travelled from London to see the performance.

Rowena said: “I thoroughly enjoyed it. We saw them at the Nelson Mandela concert in London and now we are major fans.”

The crowd was warmed up by Clacton-based band Fagan, X-Factor star Amy Connolly, and vocalist Matt Johnson.