THERE are not many bands that can say that they have dodged bullets in Sarajevo.

But entertaining the troops on the front line has been part of the distinguished service record of The Searchers, who this year mark their 50th anniversary.

They stopped off at The Concorde, Eastleigh, as part of their nationwide tour and provided entertainment with a capital E for their army of loyal fans.

The legendary Liverpool band, which was second to The Beatles in the Mersey beat pecking order, have just returned from a sell-out tour of Australia.

It is easy to see why they were breathing down the necks of The Beatles. They had huge hits on both sides of the Atlantic which still produce the same foot tapping and army swaying response as they did all those decades ago.

The playlist covered a medley of chart-busters including Needles and Pins, Sugar and Spice, Don’t Throw Your Love Away, When You Walk in the Room and Love Potion Number 9.