CHART-topping pop band McFly caused a sensation when they rocked up at a record store to sign copies of their latest single.

About 1,000 excited fans queued from the early hours of the morning to get a chance to meet their idols at Fives Records in the Broadway, Leigh.

Some girls had travelled all the way from Spain to see the band, two of whom hail from Essex.

McFly were in town to promote their new release, the Heart Never Lies, and to play the Cliffs Pavilion in Westcliff on Friday night.

Drummer Harry Judd, from Chelmsford, joked: "I used to go to the Rampage skate park in Leigh. I'd attract a big crowd - but never as many as this. Leigh doesn't seem to have changed much and it's nice to be back."

Bandmate Dougie Poynter, who plays bass, is from Corringham.

Among the fans was tot Josh Tippett, from Southend, just a year old, who suffers from brain damage, cerebral palsy and epilepsy.

His mum, Karyn, said: "Josh's face lit up as soon as he saw McFly, because he loves their music. They were really nice guys. They chatted to him and held his hands."

Laura Baillie and Fiona Dorrington, of St Mary's Road, Benfleet, arrived at Fives at 5.30am and were thrilled to meet their idols.

Southend High School for Girls pupil Fiona, 15, got her iPod signed by the band, while Laura, a 14-year-old St Bernard's High School pupil, beamed: "This is the best day of my life."

Still waiting for the big moment were St Bernard's girls, Isabella Aust and Georgina Collingwood, both 14, who arrived at 8am.

Isabella, of Leigh Road, Leigh, said: "We're so excited. I can't wait, I can't even stand still!"

Georgina, of Eastbourne Grove in Westcliff, added: "They're such an amazing band. Tonight will be the fourth time we've seen them."

Sandra Bennett, whose father Peter Driscoll owns the record shop, said it was a fitting way to mark the store's 30th anniversary.

She added: "We asked the reps who sell us the records if they could get us someone special to mark our birthday - and they got us McFly!"

But many bemused older residents wondered what the fuss was about.

Mary Folley of Flemming Avenue, Leigh, said: "We used to queue up for the Beatles, but I've never seen anything like this before in Leigh."

Did you meet McFly at Fives? Or did you see the show at the Cliffs? Click comment and tell us about it