Some of those who queued through the night were not even buying tickets for themselves. Brenda Edwards, aged 51, was buying a ticket for her daughter Tracey.

She said: "I can't go myself because someone has to babysit the grandchildren. We even had a policeman visit us in the night to make sure we were all right."

Members of Plymouth Argyle ladies football team made a last-minute decision to start queuing at about 2am and turned up wearing light coats, jogging bottoms and trainers.

Chloe Roberts, aged 17, said: "Our clothing has been a bit of a problem, we only had a match yesterday."

Fellow player Carmen Thornton, also 17, added: "We sat in the car for much of the night, it was nice and warm."

 
About 20 places back, Jane Eslick from Tavistock was the first in the queue for Meat Loaf. She turned up just after 5am to buy tickets for husband Scott and son Ashley.

She said: "It has been okay, I have bought food and clothing and something to read. It is a bit strange being surrounded by Westlife fans but I can handle that."

Meat Loaf is playing on Friday, June 27, and Westlife are playing the following day. The dates are part of Plymouth's Summer Festival and follow up the success of George Michael and Elton John at Home Park last year.

Home Park spokesman Rick Cowdery said: "The fact fans were willing to queue through the snow for the best tickets in the house shows their dedication, and the popularity of these shows on the back of Elton John and George Michael last year shows we are putting Home Park on the map as a concert venue."

Tickets for both concerts went on sale through Ticketmaster for those trying to book online at 12pm.