FANS hoping to catch a special concert at West End by Southampton's international singing superstar Craig David are being warned by police to stay away.

Soul sensation Craig is due to give a live performance at the Hampshire Rose Bowl in West End next Monday to a very select group of guests as a prelude to his forthcoming world tour.

The 22-year-old R & B singer-songwriter, who was brought up on the city's Holyrood estate, will play the exclusive free date at Hampshire's cricket ground as a thank you to friends and fans in his home city.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, chart-topping Craig said: "I'm really looking forward to this show. Southampton is still where my family and most of my close friends live.

"My life has been so busy over the last couple of years that I haven't been able to get back as much as I would have liked, so for me it's a great opportunity to give a little to the city that gave me so much."

The concert will feature just Craig and his long-time guitarist and friend Fraser T Smith and will take place in a function room at the Rose Bowl, rather than the main arena.

Police point out that tickets have been limited to 500 and say it is not a case of the concert being open to all.

Hedge End police inspector Paul Newstead said: "The event is a private function which is strictly for selected invited guests only and anyone going along in the hope of getting in or seeing the singer to obtain his autograph will be disappointed."

He added: "Access to the complex and admission into the pavilion will be strictly by ticket only, and a team of security guards will be patrolling the site to prevent unauthorised entry - so my advice to hopeful young fans is to stay away."