IT HAS proved a hit with audiences keen to rewind the clock back to the 1980s.

And Southampton Common will once again rock to the sights and sounds of that decade as a revival event returns for its third year in a row – providing a further boost to the city’s economy.

Thousands of residents donned leg warmers, neon lycra and wigs to get into spirit of Let’s Rock Southampton, with some of the decade’s most well-known names belting out their classic hits.

And following this sell-out show, with crowds of 14,000, topping even the first year’s 12,000-strong audiencecrowd, bosses have already announced it will be back for 2016.

Stars will take to the stage on Southampton Common once again on July 9.

The event has grown each year since it began in 2014.

Though the line-up for Let’s Rock Southampton 2016 remains under wraps, but organisers are promising some of the biggest names and acts from the 1980s as well as celebrity comperes in between acts aslike in previous years.

The event last month saw residents turn back the clock with a line-up that included Kim Wilde, Hot Chocolate, Nik Kershaw and Sam Fox.

Crowds even took inspiration from superheroes and television characters with the likes of Darth Vader in Star Wars to Eddie the Eagle making an appearance.

They were entertained between acts by hosts DJ Pat Sharp, who found fame as the host of 1980s ITV children’s television show Fun House, and children television presenter Dave Benson Phillips.

Previous big name performers have included Billy Ocean, Go West, Heaven 17 and Bananarama.

The event’s return follows the news that Southampton’s first ever Common People festival will be returning to Southampton Common next year as well.

Thirty-five thousand people are thought to have attended the first ever such event in May, organised by Josie and Rob da Bank, which was estimated to have given the city's economy a £1m boost, through local shops, transport and accommodation.

Southampton City Council’s leisure chief Satvir Kaur said Let's Rock Southampton’s return was “fantastic news”.

“Southampton is one of those places now where something is always happening and it’s really great we’re able to maximise places like the Common to put on massive festivals,” she said.

“The value of events such as this are so much more, you can’t really put a figure on it because not only does it contribute to the community but the economic value to the city is amazing as well.”

She added the two music events had provided more than a million pound boost to the city’s economy and attracted 100,00 new visitors.

Earlybird tickets for Let’s Rock Southampton will be on sale from 9am a week today.

She also understood people were coming from places like Wales, Ireland and in one case South America, with events in the city so far this year bringing 100,000 new visitors.

For more information visit letsrocksouthampton.com