RECORD shops are expecting crowds of customers this Saturday (September 13) when Elton John's tribute to Princess Diana arrives at stores in Preston.

Barely hours after Diana's funeral last Saturday, mourners bombarded shops with requests for the single Candle In the Wind which was especially written and performed for the Princess of Wales' burial.

John Entwistle, of Rooster Records at the Market Hall, Preston, said: "We've had loads of reservations. Stores probably won't get the number they request because the CD pressing plants can't keep up with demand."

HMV on Fishergate, Preston, said enquiries have been flooding in almost non-stop since the funeral. Stockroom controller Paul Wignall said: "We've ordered 2,700 copies but we're not sure how many we'll get. "There's not been this much interest for a record since Oasis released their album, but this is on a much wider spectrum."

Rock and indie store Action Records has ordered 50 copies. Allan Atkinson, of the Church Street shop, said: "We've had quite a bit of interest for this one."

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