DOZENS of fans flocked to Southampton as pop band Scouting for Girls put on a free gig in the city.

They performed live and signed copies of their new album Still Thinking About You, at the HMV store in Above Bar Street.

Fans were ecstatic as frontman Roy Stride asked for requests and performed with bandmates Greg Churchouse and Peter Ellard.

The group played for 30 minutes in the store, kicking off the acoustic gig with Heartbeat before playing a few songs from their new album and finishing with one of their best known hits, She's So Lovely.

The latest album is a return to the immaculate pop of their triple-platinum number one debut album but with a fresh, more mature sound and includes Christmas In The Air (Tonight), a seasonal smash in waiting.

Roy called it the ultimate Scouting For Girls record and said the band can't wait to continue touring with their new sound across the south this year.

The pop rockers, who formed in 2005, have been nominated for four Brit Awards and one Ivor Novello Awardinclude and their other big hits include James Bond and Elvis Ain’t Dead.

After the gig the trio stayed to sign copies of their album and take pictures with their fans.

For vet nurse Tara Smith, 24, from Eastleigh it was the best birthday present she could have asked for.

She said: "I found out about the event the other day throughthe Echo and just knew I would have to come - it's the perfect thing to do on my birthday, I've been a fan of theirs from the beginning and really love how humble they are and just genuine guys that play really fun, catchy music."

HMV store manager Jim Gibbins said: "It's been fantastic to have Scouting for girls here. It's always great to have amazing people playing in the store and it creates a real buzz. The album seems like it's going to be a big hit so it's a real pleasure to have them in store giving people in Southampton an exclusive performance of their new hits."