Cliff Richard fans who braved the elements by camping out for tickets to his last-ever celebrity tennis tournament will have their loyalty rewarded this weekend.

His last annual charity Cliff Richard Tennis Classic at Birmingham's NIA takes place this Saturday in front of a sell-out 12,000-strong crowd.

About 100 of the 65-year-old's army of fans spent up to three weeks camping in the NIA's multi-storey car park in order to bag a ticket when they went on sale in June this year.

* Tell us your view on this story. Get in touch by email, messageboard or by sending a web letter to the editor *

Sir Cliff presented the first tennis tournament 23 years ago in front of a relatively sparse audience at the Brighton Centre.

Despite 23 years of the tournament being one of the most popular fixtures in Cliff fans' diaries, he announced this year would be the last.

Sue Mappin, who runs The Cliff Richard Tennis Foundation, said: "We're aware that many people will be greatly disappointed, but life moves on and the old adage 'quit while you're ahead' is appropriate, particularly after last year's Classic was judged one of the best ever.

"To those who have supported the tennis event right from the start, we're grateful and privileged to have contributed a little to your Christmas enjoyment for so long."

Celebrities joining Sir Cliff for his last tennis classic include Jasper Carrott, Virginia Wade, Coronation Street star Bradley Walsh and Annabel Croft.

Fellow stars Des O'Connor, Bruce Forsyth, Nell McAndrew, Michael Ball and Sue Barker are also expected to make an appearance.

This event will raise money for Sir Cliff's tennis charity, which is dedicated to help introduce tennis to disadvantaged children.