Sir Rod Stewart wowed thousands of fans at Carlisle's Brunton Park with a packed night full of top class entertainment.

The newly-knighted superstar led a party on the pitch as about 16,000 people danced and sang the night away.

Showing he's still got stamina, style and his raspy voice the rocker performed a near two-hour set, with four changes of glitzy blazers, 25 songs and plenty of dancing.

Kicking things off with We're Having A Party the concert was a treat for fans from start to finish. He also sang his hits Some Guys Have All The Luck, Maggie May and You Wear It Well before bringing down the house with Da Ya Think I'm Sexy.

Rod's performance went down a storm as he crooned slower songs and rocked out others. Lynn and Neil Fraser, of Longtown, thought he was absolutely brilliant.

Neil, who first listened to Rod on vinyl, said: "I've followed him since I was 16 or 17. He can still put on a performance."

Throughout the night a relaxed Sir Rod commanded the stage like the old hand he is. Sitting down on stage to get comfortable, walking down among the front row, dancing around, kicking footballs into the crowd and serenading Brunton Park as they held up their torch lights and swayed.

As well as singing his own songs, Rod treated fans to a few covers including The First Cut is the Deepest and Etta James' I'd Rather Go Blind.

After a few acoustic songs, the crowd got going again and found their dancing shoes for a rendition of Young Hearts Run Free by Candi Station. Although people were not meant to stand on the sides, there was no stopping the dancers.

One member of Rod Stewart's fan club was is seeing him in Carlisle tonight for the 215th time. By the end of the year Barb Almond, of Lancashire, will have been at 220 of her idol's concerts.

She was with three others she's met though the fan club - Sue Oates, 64, from Scunthorpe, Louise Cotton, 57, of Staffordshire, and Maureen Davison, 66, of Buckinghamshire.

They have travelled as far as Rio in Brazil and were donning their signed memorabilia including a flag signed by the whole band and Rod himself which they claim is priceless.

"I've followed him for years. We go where he goes," said Barb, 63.

Maureen said: "He's never a let down but you never know what to expect. There's always a surprise."

Kendal ladies dressed in tartan Debbie Luisi, 48, Jane Williams, 43, and Elaine Reid, 47, were super excited to see Rod perform. The women think Stewart has certainly still got talent and is better looking now than ever.

Jane said: "I've been to every concert since 1992. I just think he's amazing, his voice, his style, where he comes from."

Friends from Seaton and Maryport Ann Hodgson, Marie Gorley, Hazel Sharp and Janette Oglanby were pleased Rod Stewart brought his tour to Carlisle and we're seeing him for the first time. They said were looking forward to hearing all the oldies.

Marie said: "I've been a fan for a few years. He's awesome, he's sexy and he's a legend."

All the way from Dumfries, Emma Campbell, 35, Lynn Nicholson, 54, Shiela Campbell, 54, and Kareen Gillespie, 56, were treating themselves to a night with Rod.

All professed their love for Rod and Shiela said she was even looking forward to crying on the pitch she was that excited.

She said: "It's fantastic that he's coming to this area that's had such a hard time with the floods. Even still when you're walking down that street outside you can see the skips."

Lars Halvarsson was very proud of his kilt, which he'd bought for his friend Margareta Brus' birthday in honour of Rod Stewart.

The neighbors had travelled all the way from Sweden to see Sir Rod with their daughters and friend Camilla Astrom especially for the gig.

They have seen Stewart play every time he's visited Sweden since 1980. Before the gig they had a look round Carlisle, which they've never visited before but which they thought was a lovely city.

All are huge Rod Stewart fans. Margareta said: "He's the best. All his songs, every one has a meaning."

Rod Stewart lookalike Paul Fenwick, 69, of Newton Aycliffe, Durham, said he did not intentionally look like Sir Rod, though he has been asked for his photograph before.

He said: "I love his hair style and I do like his music obviously. He's just a cool guy. He deserves his knighthood."

Rod Stewart ended the night by wishing Carlisle United good luck before a spectacular firework display that lit up the night's sky with fireballs of red, green and white.