TICKETS to see an icon of the British music industry take to the stage in south Cumbria next year are selling faster than any other artist to perform at the prestigious venue.

Rock ‘n’ roll legend Sir Cliff Richard is set to headline at the Cartmel Racecourse summer concert on Friday, June 28, following a thrill-packed afternoon of racing.

The event is one of just three live UK performances of Sir Cliff’s Diamond Encore tour in 2019.

Organisers have confirmed the early bird ticket offer sold out within days of its launch, with other advanced tickets also flying out of the box office.

Steve Cooper, managing director of Cartmel Racecourse, said he had been delighted with the reaction since news of Sir Cliff's concert emerged.

"We were thrilled to be able to make the announcement that Sir Cliff Richard had selected Cartmel Racecourse for one of just three performances in the UK next year.

"We've truly been overwhelmed by the reaction so far - Cliff Richard has already become our fastest selling artist here at Cartmel within days of the tickets being released."

Steve added: "Our open-air concert is always the pinnacle of our racing calendar and we are all looking forward to what is sure to be an unforgettable evening of music from one of the world's best-loved entertainers."

The Cartmel Racecourse summer concert has previously hosted artists including Tom Jones, Boyzone, Simply Red and Jools Holland.

Sir Cliff is the only artist in history to have had a number one UK single in five consecutive decades as well as global record sales of 250 million. He this year celebrated the 60th anniversary of the release of his first single Move It. His latest album Rise Up is the first release of new music for 14 years.

Tickets which include a day’s racing and the Sir Cliff concert are now on sale, priced from £45. You can book online at www.cartmel-racecourse.co.uk where a full list of this summer's racing fixtures for Cartmel Racecourse can also be found.

10 facts you may not know about Cliff Richard

● Cliff Richard entered the music industry in the late 1950s when he became the lead singer of a rock and roll group The Drifters (not to be confused with the US group of the same name).

● Cliff’s real name is Harry Rodger Webb - and he was born on October 14, 1940, in Lucknow, India

● His singles have spent a collective 333 weeks in the Top 10, while his albums have spent 330 weeks there.

● One of the first songs Cliff recorded was Move It which went to number 2 in the UK charts and was later named as “the first British rock record” by John Lennon.

● After The Drifters, Cliff’s famed backing band was The Shadows, who joined him on his single Living Doll which was his first number 1 single.

● During his 59 years in the music industry he has released 97 Top 20 singles, 14 of which hit Number 1.

● Since 1958 Cliff has received more than 80 different awards including Brit awards and Ivor Novello awards.

● Cliff has given away at least a tenth of his income to charity since 1966 and, in 1990, he said: “Those of us who have something to offer have to be prepared to give all the time.”

● Cliff has collaborated with many big artists including Cilla Black, Olivia Newton John, Hank Marvin, Janet Jackson, Elton John, Van Morrison and many more.

● On November 23, Cliff will release Rise Up, his first record of new material in 14 years, recorded at London's Abbey Road Studios, where he created his debut single Move It 60 years ago.