Two Hampshire Chronicle reporters unwittingly became the centre of attention at a packed music concert last Friday.

It happened at a charity gig performed by Southampton band, The Delays, at The Joiners Arms, in the city.

The group was performing to raise money for Naomi House Children's Hospice at Sutton Scotney, near Winchester and the Southampton General Hospital baby unit. Both causes received just over £1,000.

Before going on stage, The Delays were told that a journalist tried to talk his way into the gig for free. Door staff turned him away.

Meanwhile, the two reporters from the Chronicle, Giles Gwinnett and Warwick Payne, had donated £12 each and were in the audience.

During the concert, The Delays' vocalist, Greg Gilbert, told the crowd of around 200 people that a Chronicle reporter had shunned the gig after being refused free admittance.

By chance, Giles and Warwick were in the front row. They managed to attract Greg's attention, and told him that this was not the case.

"We were jumping up and shouting so much, the crowd must have thought we were on fire," said Warwick.

Greg apologised for the mix-up, and shook the two Chronicle reporters by the hand in front of the capacity crowd.

Warwick added: "I hope our good name's been restored with music fans in Hampshire."

* See next week's music page in Section 3 for a review of The Delays.