X Factor's Matt Cardle stars at Stafford's 1,100th birthday celebrations
Thousands of revellers marked Stafford's milestone birthday in style as they danced the night away to tunes from X Factor star Matt Cardle.
Cardle, who won the seventh series of the talent competition in 2010, was the headline act at the town's 1,100th anniversary celebrations.
The concert was a fitting finale to a weekend of events to celebrate the landmark date, and 4,000 ticketholders basked in the sunshine for an evening of entertainment in Market Square.
Thirty-year-old Cardle, who is originally from Essex, had rushed straight from the studio in London to perform at the show.
Although he said he had only been to Stafford once before for a radio interview, he said the people he had met in the town 'were all lovely'.
He said: "I'm really happy to be here, it's a great birthday celebration and it's lovely to be asked to perform. " The star said he was using the show to perform his next single called Loving You which is a duet with the Spice Girl Mel C.
He said: "I've written the song with Mel C. I met her at the Isle of White festival. She is really amazing, and really good fun to work with, and I'm really pleased with the duet. I just hope everyone here likes it.
"I have performed at a number of festivals and love performing outside, and the crowd here all seem lovely, so I'm hoping to have some fun."
The star opened his set by wishing the town a Happy Birthday, and singing a track from his album Fire called Empire. He followed this up with Anyone Else and It's Only Love, and ended by singing both parts of his next single Loving You. Matt Cardle was not the only act on stage as the audience was treated to performances by Britain's Got Talent finalists ReConnected, boy band Forbidden Juice, teen group EverYoung and local dance group HouseJammerze.
The evening ended with a performance from stage show The Magic of Motown which had the crowd up and dancing to the classic Detroit sounds.
Among those enjoying the show were Laura and Neil Boughton and their children Ellie, aged six and Jack, aged eight.
Mrs Boughton, aged 35, who is a teacher from Stafford said: "We have come down specifically for the concert. It's fantastic music, and a really family-friendly occasion. The kids have loved it. It's just wonderful to see the whole town come together."
