IN 1963, the Beatles took pop fans in the south by storm with a trio of performances at Portsmouth Guildhall.

Forty years on, it's as if nothing has changed.

Next month, the Bootleg Beatles - self-appointed guardians of the loveable mop-tops' musical flame - return to the Guildhall for an evening of full-on fabness.

The world famous tribute band, who capture the look and sound of the Beatles through all their changing styles, put on a lavish show, which includes archive clips from the 60s and original instruments and amplifiers.

As well as much-loved hits such as Ticket To Ride, A Hard Day's Night and From Me To You, the Bootlegs play many numbers the original group never got to play live on stage.

Like the Beatles, the Bootlegs are hot property abroad. They come to the UK hotfoot from a series of international concerts, the latest of which, in Mumbai, Delhi and Pune, saw them accompanied by an Indian orchestra and sitar player, a la Sgt Pepper's era Beatles.

During their tour of America earlier this year, the group met the legendary Sid Bernstein - the man credited with introducing the Beatles to US fans in the 60s.

You can see the Bootleg Beatles at Portsmouth Guildhall on Wednesday, November 5. For tickets and information call the box office on 023 9282 4355.

COMPETITION:

THE Daily Echo has four pairs of tickets to see the Bootleg Beatles in concert at Portsmouth Guildhall on Wednesday, November 5.

To be in with a chance of winning a pair, answer the following question:

What was the Beatles' first number one single in the UK?

Email your answer, including your name, address and daytime phone number, marked Bootleg Beatles Competition to Andrew White, using the link above, by 20 October 2003.