SIR Paul McCartney is to play in Manchester for the first time in a quarter of a century.

The singer will perform 22 Beatles songs during the two-and-a-half hour show. There will be another 14 tracks from his Wings and solo periods.

Sir Paul's last time in the city was in 1979 when he played two nights at the Apollo with Wings. Bosses at the MEN Arena in Manchester are calling it their greatest coup.

Sir Paul has taken his tour to Mexico, Japan and America so far and fans have been going wild over the show. There will be performances of songs never played live in Britain before.

He will play the MEN Arena in Manchester on Wednesday April 9, 2003. Tickets are available from Friday, priced £35 and £45.

Sir Paul said: "Manchester is a good rocking city and I think people are going to like this gig."