CRAIG-MANIA is to sweep Southampton today as Craig David returns to his home city to play a free gig as a 'thank you' to loyal fans.

The 22-year-old singing star, raised on the city's Holyrood estate, plays an exclusive free concert for 500 lucky ticket-holders at the Rose Bowl in West End tonight.

Ahead of the concert he was meeting fans in the city, talking on local radio and lending his support to a Saints' anti-racism campaign.

Ardent fans of the singer were expected to swamp HMV record shop in Above Bar where Craig was due to sign copies of his album Slicker Than Your Average from 1pm.

Wristbands will be allocated on a first come, first served basis to the first 300 customers of the day at HMV, allowing them access to the signing. The first 20 will also receive tickets to the evening concert. The shop will be closed to everyone else during Craig's appearance.

HMV spokesman Jason Legg said he was expecting unprecedented interest in the appearance.

"Craig has done signings for us before in our flagship London store, but never in Southampton.

"With the concert in the evening as well, it should be a very exciting day."

After the signing Craig will join Saints legend Matt Le Tissier for a photocall at St Mary's Stadium to add his support to the club's Racism Just Ain't Saintly campaign.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo, the busy star said this was the first opportunity he had for a homecoming gig.

"It was going to be really hard for me to get down to Southampton to perform before I leave to go on the world tour so we were thinking about how I could get down there," he explained.

"The Rose Bowl seemed like a nice place to perform acoustically and for free and at the same time support the Racism Just Ain't Saintly campaign."

The highlight of the day will be his evening performance at the Rose Bowl, the Hampshire County Cricket ground in West End.

Accompanied by long-time friend and guitarist Fraser T Smith, Craig will play an intimate acoustic set for 500 people, including 140 Daily Echo competition winners, in the Rose Bowl's atrium and pavilion areas.

Entry to the free concert is by ticket only, and police are warning fans without tickets that they will be turned away.

See tomorrow's Daily Echo for full coverage of Craig's homecoming.