HEADLINE act Andy Prior was so good at the Albert Halls they booked him twice...

The orchestra leader and singer hailed as Britain's Sinatra was appearing at a concert sold out weeks in advance.

That made no difference to an over-zealous traffic warden who booked him when he parked outside the venue in the artists' loading bay.

Andy, the star of the show, not only found himself with a parking ticket, but struggling to gain access into the venue.

Unable to persuade a security guard that he really was appearing with the orchestra -- already inside the building -- he had to walk in through the front entrance, alongside the customers paying to see him. It was not the first time Andy and his orchestra have been booked by the people who have booked them to appear in Bolton.

He said: "Last year when we appeared in the town our bass player parked his car, saw the traffic warden and explained he was just unloading his gear. He went inside with his double bass, but when he came out found he had been given a ticket.

"This time round I parked in the loading bay and pushed the side door buzzer for entry.

"I told the security guard who I was and he replied: 'Are you expected?'. In the end I had to walk round the front of the building.

"And then, a little later, I found out about my ticket.

"You just have to laugh it off really. The following night I was appearing at my Sinatra concert at a full Royal Festival Hall in London and when I thought about what had happened I had to have a good chuckle.

"It is not the venue's fault because I should have displayed a pass in the car window -- someone had forgotten to give it to me. The venue has been very good and volunteered to take the ticket for me.

"I am due to appear in Las Vegas next year -- all I can say is I am glad I am flying."

Andy next appears in Bolton on Wednesday, April 24.