A major operation is being launched to prevent Fatboy Slim's New Year concert descending into the chaos his last beach show caused in 2002.

Organisers are paying for 150 stewards and 130 police officers to make sure only ticketholders get in to the open-air Big Beach Boutique 3 gig in Madeira Drive on Monday.

They are appealing for ticketless fans of the superstar DJ not to flock to the seafront, after 250,000 revellers brought Brighton to a standstill in July 2002.

Jim King, of concert organisers Loud Sound Events, said: "If you have not got a ticket you're not going to get into the show.

"There's a very detailed security and policing plan which is built around maintaining the safety of people with tickets and the safety of people without a ticket."

The gig sold out of its 20,000 tickets within hours of putting them on sale in November, despite restricting sales to people with BN postcodes.

The perimeter of the site is being patrolled by Showsec Security and the extra police officers.

A coastguard patrol boat in the water, and stewards on the beach are being put in place to watch for and eject anyone who tries to get on the beach.

Barriers are being erected on the beach and one metre in from the Marine Parade promenade, to prevent passers-by getting a look.

Once inside the concert site, ticketholders themselves face tight restrictions on their behaviour.

Dancers will be cut off from the beach, and are forbidden from bringing in food and drink.

Meanwhile organisers are crossing their fingers that the gale force winds expected to hit the South East today and tomorrow have passed by Monday.