FOR many, Saturday's performance by the former Pop Idol winner will be the high-point of the Eastleigh Summer Music Festival.

He may only have a fraction of the experience of the likes of Bill Wyman and Dionne Warwick, but his pulling power is second to none.

The hordes of screaming teenage girls usually associated with overnight pop sensations were conspicuously absent, the impeccably well-behaved crowd being composed more of picnicking 30-somethings.

That was probably in part down to the grown-up nature of the festival itself, although Young's clean-cut image and controlled vocals have made him a hit with more than just fans of Saturday night light entertainment.

Bounding on to the stage in a black waistcoat, sagging jeans and trademark flat cap, the permanently cheerful Will sang hits such as Evergreen and Friday's Child as well as lesser-known album numbers.

His Light My Fire is still only a minor conflagration compared to the Doors' original, but it got one of the biggest cheers of the evening.

In talent and charisma, Will Young has a long way to go before he matches some of his fellow headliners, but on an Eastleigh summer evening his soulful sound hit the spot as nicely as a burger and a pint.