Fans scale new heights for Cliff . . .

Armed with flasks of tea, camper gas stoves and provisions, 60 Cliff Richard fans are taking turns "camping out" in sub-zero temperatures in a multi-storey car park in order to buy tickets to see their pop hero.

The fans, who have pitched their tents on the draughty 11th floor of the south car park at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, want to be among the first in the queue when tickets for Heathcliff - Sir Cliff's musical adaptation of Emily Bronte's novel Wuthering Heights - go on sale on Monday.

Obliging Arena staff have given them the go-ahead to stay and they've even opened up lavatory and shower facilities for the hardy fans. More are expected to arrive this weekend to snap up the 4,000 tickets for each of the 16 shows which kick off on 16 October.

One die-hard fan, Phil Finnimore, 46, is planning to spend nearly pounds 900 to buy tickets for himself and his wife, Pat, for all 16 performances. The wages clerk from Holloway Head in Birmingham, said: "People think we're crazy but it's all worth it - Cliff is a fantastic performer and the shows will be brilliant."