IT'S been a long time coming - but it's here at last!

Miss Saigon takes up a three-month residence in Southampton's Mayflower theatre tonight, giving British audiences their last chance to see the West End and Broadway spectacular in its current form.

Starring real life couple David Shannon and Ima Castro - who met when they joined the UK tour last year and will be getting hitched in Southampton next month - the Cameron Mackintosh spectacular tells the story of the passionate love affair between an American GI and a Vietnamese girl during the last days of the Vietnam War.

When the war ends, GI Chris returns to his wife and child - but Kim is left bringing up their child (which Chris never knew about) on her own.

Produced by theatre legend Cameron Mackintosh - whose other hits include Cats, Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera - the show has now been seen by more than 29 million people in productions all over the world.

The biggest touring show ever mounted in the UK, 29 trailers, each 45ft long, are required to transport Miss Saigon from venue to venue.