CHART sensations Blue are to play a special one-off concert at Blackburn Rovers ground in May.

Blue, one of the biggest bands in Britain, will perform the exclusive live gig at Ewood Park on Sunday, May 23.

The concert promises to be the biggest non-footballing event ever held at the Premiership stadium.

Tickets for the event go on sale at 9am on Monday and all 25,000 are expected to be snapped up by fans from all over the North West.

Nick Hall, Blackburn Rovers head of business development, said: "We are absolutely delighted to host an event of this scale. Blue are one of the country's biggest acts and I'm sure the region will turn out in force to hear them sing live."

He revealed that a big name support act is also being lined up and will be announced in the next couple of weeks. Blue are no strangers to Ewood Park, having played at a Feel the Noise concert in 2002, but this will be the first time that a band has given a full live performance at the stadium.

Blue - Duncan, Anthony, Lee and Simon - have had seven top 10 singles including All Rise and If You Come Back, including three number ones. Their albums have all been million sellers.

Band member Anthony Costa said: "We are all huge football supporters and can't wait to come up to the North West to perform in such an impressive stadium before thousands of our fans."

Nick Hall added: "This event will definitely help put Blackburn and East Lancashire on the map. We really appreciate the co-operation we have had from local residents and the council over this event.

"Fans will be allowed to stand on the pitch with a massive stage being built in the Walkersteel stand."