The Police rocked Twickenham stadium last night in a sell-out gig nearly 30 years after the band first formed.

Rock legend Sting was joined by band mates Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers in the 90 minute set that opened to a roar of appreciation with 'Message in a Bottle'.

Almost 55,000 fans packed out the stadium for the second gig on the band's first UK tour since splitting in 1984.

The 80s supergroup proved they still have what it takes as they steamed through a catalogue of hits including 'Roxanne', 'So Lonely' and 'Every Breath You Take'.

Playing a beat-up bass and sporting his trademark blonde crop, Sting called the gig "the Andy Summers show" and joked about how long ago the band first began recording.

Copeland roved through an extensive percussion playhouse thrilling the crowd by yelling "This is our town - London. I'm American, but this is where we come from right here!"

While Summers' extensive solo fretwork brought down the house.

The visuals were simple - just the three performers took to the stage - pictures of children from war-torn areas provided poignant accompaniment to Invisible Sun.

Fan Laura Gale, 29, of Hampton Hill, said: "They were amazing. I wasn't prepared for the songs to sound quite so fresh.

"I grew up with their music being played at home. I'm glad they decided to reform for this tour - I never thought I'd ever get to see them live."

The Police were supported by indie rockers, Maximo Park, who played to a half-full stadium as England v Israel kept punters in the pubs until late.

Lead singer, Paul Smith, thanked the crowd for being "multi-faceted".

The stage was also warmed by Sting's son's band, Fiction Plane.

After a second show in Twickenham tonight, The Police will move on to play in Manchester, Cardiff and Wembley.

Mainland Europe is next on the map, including the 90,000-capacity Stade de France in Paris.

The band have already notched up the tour miles on their US leg, playing in Vacouver The tour will end in Perth, Australia, in February, 2008 - over a year after it began.

© The Wimbledon Guardian by Sarah Newstead

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