Music legend Sir Tom Jones opened Southampton's newest festival in spectacular style last night.

Thousands of music lovers descended on Guildhall Square to see the first night of the inaugural Southampton Summer Sessions.

The forecast rain stayed away and some even shed their winter coats as the icon warmed up the crowd with hits from his incredible back catalogue. 

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Rolling back the years, Sir Tom, who turned 84 last week, was serenaded by an adoring crowd who insisted on singing 'Happy Birthday' while their hero waved an imaginary orchestra baton and looked on delighted.

With incredible vocals and acoustics, he continued his set with a mass singalong to It's Not Unusual.

City centre flats seemed the perfect location for a spot of 'stargazing' and residents around Guildhall Square wrapped up warm and took to their balconies to join in the fun. 

Sir Tom's set took us back to the '60s with What's New Pussycat? and returned to 1999 with the crowd-pleasing Sex Bomb. 

Delilah delighted the audience an hour in and was followed by You Can Leave Your Hat On and Kiss.

He couldn't resist a spot of name-dropping and when your anecdotes involve Prince and Elvis Presley, then why on earth not?

Apparently, the King of Rock n Roll took Sir Tom to see one Chuck Berry in Las Vegas in 1966, which is where his rather energetic encore version of Johnny B. Goode came from.

It sent everyone home happy at around 10.15pm, just after the sun had set on a great opening night, with lots more to follow in the coming weeks. 

Liz Beverley, from Romsey, attended the gig with a friend. She said: "Who doesn't love a bit of Tom Jones?

"I thought it was a great start to Summer Sessions and a superb venue for live music.

"The acoustics were good, there was plenty of room and we enjoyed the wine and nachos."

Southampton Summer Sessions continue tonight with an appearance from ska legends Madness.

Other headliners over the next two weeks include Nile Rodgers & CHIC before Kaiser Chiefs bring the curtain down on Summer Sessions on June 30.