Hundreds gather for Rod Stewart Fan Club's Big Weekend in Walsall

More than 900 people descended on the Saddlers Club as the Rod Stewart Fan Club's annual Big Weekend came back to Walsall for the fifth consecutive year.

Some had travelled from as far as Germany and Norway.

The three-day event, which ended last night with a Roddy Horror Picture Show themed fancy dress event, also saw live singers including former X-Factor star Ben Mills and Rod Stewart tribute act Stan Terry take to the stage.

The singer's sister, Mary Cady, also made an appearance during the event and signed memorabilia was auctioned to raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity.

Also being auctioned off were stage shirts and jackets worn by the Maggie May singer during his live shows.

The event has helped to raise thousands of pounds for a string of charities in the past.

This year's charity was chosen in memory of a fan's daughter who died from a brain tumour, aged 10.

Fan club member Julie Cartwright, who lost her daughter Danielle in 2003, travelled to the event with her daughter Kelly, 25, and friends, from her home in Brighouse, West Yorkshire.

The 51-year-old said: "I think it's a great way of raising money for the charity. I've been a Rod Stewart fan since I was 13. It's a way of life and it feels like a family here."

Another fan enjoying the event on Saturday night was grandfather-of-five Paul Bent.

The 55-year-old, of Aston, Birmingham, said: "You won't get a better singer than that man.

"He's brilliant. I love his voice. He's a god to us. I must have seen him about 50 odd times over the years."

Dave Reddy, one of the organisers, said: "There's been a massive build-up to this year's event. We've had new members join and there's a lot of new faces.

"We now have more than 7,000 people connected to the fan club."