In gale-force winds and heavy rain, Brighton seafront is not the ideal place to be.

But despite the conditions, a group of middle-aged women have spent the past two days camped out by the Brighton Centre.

The reason is the annual visit of Irish crooner Daniel O'Donnell, who will be appearing at the venue next March.

Tickets for his show at the 5,000-capacity centre go on sale today, and his most ardent fans were determined to get their hands on the best seats.

Armed with a camping stove, Thermos flasks and an assortment of sandwiches and snacks, the group - whose ages range between 40 and 60 - had no qualms about sleeping on the streets.

In an age of telephone sales, the reasons for their dedication may seem unclear. But according to the women - who expect they are among Mr O'Donnell's biggest fans - it is the only way to secure a front row ticket.

"We met each other camping outside venues for tickets to see Daniel," said one Worthing resident, who gave her name only as Joan, adding that Daniel would know who she was.

"We usually try to get in the front row and we see Daniel every time. He always recognises us and we get our picture taken with him afterwards.

"He is such a lovely man - a man with such feeling and understanding for a young person - he's only 38 you know.

"I have photographs of him all over my house. But the best thing is going and listening to him - it's like a tonic.

"He does so few concerts compared to what I would like, it means that when he does, you have to go. I saw him in Brentwood last week and this time last year in Brighton."

Most of the fans have seen Daniel perform at least 50 times in venues around the UK and Ireland.

Billingshurst resident Jenny Huntingford has been following the clean-cut boy from Donegal for the last 13 years, travelling to America to see him perform and camping outside venues for up to three days.

After buying her £19.50 ticket this morning she will be heading off to Bristol to see Daniel live on stage tonight.

She said: "People have nearly fallen out of their cars going by because they wonder what you are doing - they probably think we are down-and-outs. Loads of people have stopped and asked us what we are doing."

"In the early days we did not have to queue, we just rang up and got tickets. But as Daniel has grown in popularity you need to do this to get the best tickets.

"When you are in there you forget everything - it gives you such a lift.