A SOUTHAMPTON pop superstar will be playing a free and "exclusive" gig at Saint Mary's stadium.

Craig David will delight crowds during the one off performance on October 10.

Fans of the homegrown talent can apply for free tickets via the Virgin Media website from today with doors opening at 6.30pm.

The event is to celebrate the launch of "next-generation" broadband services rolled out across the city by Virgin Media

According to the internet provider, Southampton now boasts the fastest broadband services across the whole UK.

The company has today switched on the UK’s fastest gigabit home broadband services in the city.

Southampton is the first to benefit from the company’s plan to bring gigabit speeds to nearly 15-million homes by the end of 2021.

The service is available to around 100,000 homes across the city centre, Bitterne, Freemantle, Polygon, Portswood, Shirley and Sholing.

With speeds 25 times faster than the local average of 40Mbps it is hoped the internet boost will help the city become the “tech capital of the south.”

The "lightning-fast" connection will give residents the ability to do everything they love online and take advantage of technologies like cloud gaming and enjoy 8K video streaming across the home.

According to the internet provider prices for its new packages start at £62 per month with a price freeze for at least 24-months.

Leader of the city council, Cllr Christopher Hammond, said: “Southampton will be the first city to have Virgin Media’s hyperfast connectivity - which our residents will really benefit from. This city has a thriving digital and creative economy and the council is fully committed to supporting residents, businesses and visitors to embrace the opportunities that technology presents. It’s great to be welcoming Craig David back to his home city to celebrate this investment.”

COO at Virgin Media, Jeff Dodds, said: “Southampton is a city that we have a deep connection with, particularly through our partnership with the Saints, so it made perfect sense for us to kick-start the rollout of our Gig1 service right here – the fastest home broadband in the UK.

“To celebrate us switching on these gigabit speeds, we are bringing Southampton legend and superstar, Craig David, to St Mary’s Stadium to perform an intimate gig exclusively for Virgin Media customers and Southampton residents. We can’t wait to see you there.”

For tickets visit – www.virginmedia.com/GigGig