Even among fellow pop stars Elton John is known for his big-spending extravagance.

So it should come no surprise to fans that the suitcases he brings with him when he plays in Hove will include up to 50 costumes.

What they may not be aware of is the mammoth scale of the operation which will bring the Rocket Man to the Sussex County Cricket Ground on June 25.

No fewer than 120 tonnes of steel will be used for the stage, transported by six trucks.

Almost 9km of cable will deliver 44,000 watts of power to about 100 moving lights, 52 sound boxes and 37 microphones.

There are 37 members of the tour crew, though extra will be brought in when required to assemble the stage in a five-day operation.

Sir Elton would not be complete without his piano and the same two instruments will travel the 7,316 miles around Europe with him, tuned every day.

He will be playing to 352,000 people - 18,000 in Hove - and will perform for 42 hours in total.

Ben Martin from the tour's promoters, Marshall Arts, said: "The figures give you some idea of the scale of the show we are bringing.

"Brighton is lucky as it gets big names performing in small venues but to really do Elton's show justice, we had to find somewhere big enough to put all that together.

"We are very privileged to perform at the County Ground and we are all looking forward to the show."

The Argus is an official partner of the tour. We will hold an Elton John Fever Week in the days before the concert - and will be the only organisation in the city still selling tickets.