WHEN YOU are a true star even the rain stops for you - Shirley Bassey is such a star.

Beneath threatening skies at Somerley House near Ringwood, she belted out all the old favourites and managed a few new tunes too.

Thousands had gathered to see the Tiger Bay temptress strut her stuff. They brought picnics - and some seemed to have brought the entire contents of their homes.

There were some ornate gazebo style structures dotted throughout the open-air venue and some revellers were dining in style - with one group tucking into beef wellington followed by strawberries and cream.

But enough of the punters.

After 40 odd years of belting out her standard tunes, none of them have lost their edge. Ms Bassey's voice is every bit as powerful and clear as it ever was.

Favourites such as Hey Big Spender, delivered twice because the crowd loved it so much, Goldfinger and Diamonds are Forever brought squeals of delight from an adoring audience.

She shimmied and wiggled her hips in a bejewelled, skin-tight gown that glittered nearly as bright as the star herself.

A measure of her star quality is the way she plays her audience. When she announced she was going to drop in a rendition of Summertime - her special "party-piece" normally reserved for more intimate gatherings, you truly felt honoured.

Just a word about the firework finale - it was spectacular, especially the last explosion which brought thousands twinkling stars to the cloud-covered sky.

But even they could not outshine the luminous Ms Bassey.