VENUE bosses today pledged to establish Blackburn's King George's Hall as a magnet for top performers after fading star Louise played to rows of empty seats.

But the fans who did turn up to see Mrs Redknapp insisted she had the talent to bounce back from the slide in her pop career.

It took a £200,000 scheme to put Blackburn's public halls on the major concert map in June last year.

The floor of the hall was strengthened to allow standing concerts for up to 2,000 fans.

Bosses at King George's Hall had in the past promised that it was to be a regional venue for national talent.

The town has recently played host to the likes of Paul Weller, Paul Young, Alexander O'Neal, Robbie Williams and Daniel O'Donnell, who have all managed to sell out their tours.

But according to events and promotions manager Geoff Peake, Blackburn has been one of Louise's most successful venues for ticket sales, even though the response was not as good as they had hoped.

Mr Peake said: "Louise did not sell as well as she did last time she was here but as far as I know Blackburn has been one of her better venues."

Mr Peake said he had more top names in the pipeline for Blackburn but admitted people were unlikely to see Robbie Williams at the hall again.

He said: "We attract mostly bands which are just starting out and want to test the water, they usually play here then go on to bigger things like arenas and then that is the last we see of them.

"We are trying to build our name up again but it is hard because we lost all of our bands that attract standing crowds while we were carrying out the construction work for three years.

"A lot of the promoters find alternative venues for their artists to play at so it is up to us to now bring them back and show them all the god things we have to offer."

Mr Peake said they had a lot to offer bands who wanted to come and play at King George's Hall. "We are well equipped with state-of-the-art technology. We have nice dressing rooms fit for any star, and we have the right facilities," he said.

Former Eternal star Louise, who is married to footballer and heart-throb Jamie Redknapp, had her first solo hit with Light of My Life, which reached number six in the UK charts.

But even though she had a top-ten hit with Stuck In The Middle With You last year, her last album was a flop.

Last night fans said she had given them a night to remember.

And from drooling husbands to screaming teenagers the whole crowd were up on their seats dancing to the songs which made Louise famous.

But Louise fans were impressed with last night's performance.

Eve Bowlan, 23, of Almond Road, Darwen, said: "I was gobsmacked with what she did, she was unbelievable. When I booked the tickets I was expecting her to be rubbish but she was the total opposite.

"She had me dancing up at the front next to the stage."

Vida Walsh, 18, of Quebec Road, Blackburn, said : "People seem to like criticising something good, but Louise is better than good - she is amazing. Her voice is incredible and she is so pretty she deserved to have a sell-out crowd."

Sarah Wilkinson, 24, of Wellfield Road, Blackburn, went with a younger cousin. She said: "I wasn't that keen on coming to see her but I am glad that I did now. I have so much respect for her because she is a genuinely nice person who has talent to go with it."

Stephen Kerrigan, 17, of Wellfield Road, Blackburn, fancies Louise. He said: "She is absolutely gorgeous and I think anyone who saw her tonight will agree with me -- wow! She also has a pretty good voice as well."

Claire Anthony, 15, of Delphinium Road, Blackburn, said: "I have been thinking about the concert all week, but didn't think it would have turned out to be much, but I was very wrong. When Louise brings out another single I will be first in the queue."

Jade Anthony, 13, also of Delphinium Road, said: "She sang like an angel. All her notes were perfect and she is perfect. I didn't want the night to end."