Bocelli fans in cash plea; CONCERT: Compensation claim over NIA cancellation.

Byline: Diane Parkes

FURIOUS Andrea Bocelli fans are demanding compensation for money they spent travelling to a concert which was cancelled at the last minute.

The Birmingham Mail has been inundated by disappointed fans, some of whom had shelled out hundreds of pounds to see the Italian tenor perform at the National Indoor Arena on Sunday - only to be told it was off at 7.30pm, the time it was due to start.

The blind singer, who has recorded a string of chart-topping albums, was said to be 'devastated' at the cancellation which was due to a throat infection.

But his devastation is unlikely to equal that of fans who had travelled across the country to see the singer perform one of only four UK concerts this year.

And many fans have contacted promoters Kilimanjaro and Harvey Goldsmith asking for compensation.

Fans Neil Chesterson and his wife Kathleen drove a 265-mile round trip from Morpeth in Northumberland and spent two nights in a Birmingham hotel. The concert tickets were a birthday present for Neil who turned 52 on Friday.

"We spent pounds 147 on tickets and another pounds 250 on the round trip, hotel and meals," he says. "I was so looking forward to it and was gutted when they told us it was cancelled.

"We are not rich people, but we saved for that. Now if we want to come back again we have to pay all that again."

Mr Chesterson has contacted Harvey Goldsmith's office asking for a contribution to his costs but it awaiting their response.

"Andrea Bocelli and Harvey Goldsmith are wealthy but I don't see how we can afford to come back again," he said. "We have asked them for the cost of the train fare, which is pounds 105."

Colin Richards travelled with his pregnant partner Marie Ashmore from March in Cambridgeshire.

"We had until 2pm on Sunday to cancel the hotel but by 7.35pm it was far too late," said Mr Richards, a 39-year-old emergency response engineer. "We spent pounds 100 each on the tickets and then a further pounds 250 on a hotel, travel and meals. But when I contacted Kilimanjaro they simply said we were being offered tickets for another date and that was that.

"I understand Andrea was ill but that was known beforehand and someone has to be liable for making the decision so late."

Ticket-holders have been promised their tickets are valid for a new date in November or refunds will be available but, so far, no offer of compensation has been offered. Refunds are also available for tickets bought for the NIA car park.

The NIA said it was only informed of the cancellation at the last minute. The Birmingham Mail has approached the promoters for a statement but has yet to receive one.

CAPTION(S):

Throat infection: Andrea Bocelli.