DISGRACED pop star Gary Glitter has left an East Lancashire family feeling more glum than glam after they paid more than £130 to see him.

Jan Pettitt, of Dandy Row, Darwen and her family were looking forward to watching the Glam Rock king in one of his Christmas shows at the Nynex Arena, Manchester.

But that was before the accusations of child pornography allegedly found on computers seized at the home of the star, who kicks off his nationwide tour, A Night Out with the Boys, in Cardiff tonight.

Now none of the family wants to go to the concert, but they have been told there is no way they can have their money back.

Mrs Pettitt, a co-ordinator for the East Lancashire SuperScan Appeal, said: "We had wanted to go to one of his shows for years but could never get tickets.

"We were told it was the Christmas show to end all Christmas shows.

"But within a few days of buying the tickets these charges were all over the papers so we did not want to go.

"When we eventually got through to ask for a refund, we were told, 'you and thousands of others'.

"I bet there are hundreds of people in East Lancashire who have parted with money and now don't want to go." Jan had been due to go with her husband, Jim, her mother and stepfather Sheila and Ken Hindle, from Oswaldtwistle, and two other close family members.

They had paid £21.95 each for the tickets, but face losing all their money unless the show is cancelled.

The star's nationwide tour kicks off in Cardiff tonight. The Nynex Arena ticket hotline says the concert is going ahead and no refunds will be given.

Gary Glitter's management company, Jef Hanlon Management, also made it clear there would be no refund.

The company referred all Press inquiries to a statement by the Concert Promoters Association.

The statement says that concert promoters are under no contractual obligation to refund tickets provided the show goes ahead in line with the advertised details.

It adds: "We understand from the promoters of the forthcoming Gary Glitter tour that Gary Glitter has re-confirmed his intention to perform as scheduled and that the respective venue owners have confirmed the events will go ahead."

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