FANS have had a long wait to see Elvis Costello performing at Bournemouth International Centre, following the cancellation of his original date in November last year due to "production difficulties".

But this Friday the acclaimed singer-songwriter finally hits town - and it looks like being worth the wait.

Costello has made more than a dozen albums both as a solo artist and with his band The Attractions, and will be joined by his Attractions keyboardist, Steve Nieve, for the concert.

Blessed with an unmistakable look and voice, Costello made an immediate impression with his first single, Watching the Detectives, a top 20 hit in 1977, and his debut album, My Aim Is True.

The following year saw him release his second album, This Year's Model, which confirmed his reputation as one of the most talented and articulate of the new wave of post-punk British performers. It reached the top five in the UK and spawned two hit singles, (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea and Pump It Up.

The 1979 release of the Armed Forces album gave Costello his first and only top ten album in the US.

It also contained his highest-charting single, Oliver's Army, which reached number two in the UK.

Costello became more and more involved in other music projects, producing the Special AKA's hit single Nelson Mandela, the proceeds of which went to help free political prisoners.

Costello and The Attractions finally went their separate ways in 1984.

An avid fan base has ensured Costello's popularity ever since.

He has continued to write, produce and release music and has collaborated with everyone from classical musicians The Brodsky Quartet, to easy listening legend Burt Bacharach.

For tickets and information call the Bournemouth box office on 0870 111 3000.