HUNDREDS of disappointed teenagers booed at an outdoor concert when top act 911 failed to show.

The band called to say they were stuck in traffic, leaving fans of the funky threesome disappointed after they queued in the rain to see the chart-topping band at Southern FM's Party in the Dark at Eastbourne on Saturday night.

DJ Danny Pike told fans 911 would not be appearing, and the mood switched from one of excitement to frustration and, among some, anger.

Shouts of "We want out money back" could be heard as DJ Danny tried to explain what had happened, saying the band would not make it to Eastbourne's Saffrons cricket ground before the concert's 9pm finishing deadline, set by the council.

He then held a mobile phone to the crowd, claiming 911 were on the line, and said: "Let

the guys know how much you support them." But boos overwhelmed the few limp cheers.

Backstage, Danny said: "The band called to say they were stuck in traffic and were not going to make it. It is a real shame for the crowd here

in Eastbourne, which was brilliant as usual. I do not know exactly where they are but they called at 8pm to say they were stuck.

"They are really disappointed as well. They always come down to Party in the Park in Brighton. I am sure that if they could have made it, they would."

The band, which played its first ever concert to a packed school hall in Eastbourne more than two years ago, was planning to show off a new dance routine at the concert.

In an interview with the Argus on Friday, 911 singer Lee Brennan said: "We love the town and are looking forward to meeting all our fans and having a quick paddle in the sea."

But fans couldn't understand why the band had left it so late to travel to the town. One youngster, Holly Cronin, 13, of Eastbourne, said: "I can't believe it. How come they were still in the car when they should have been on stage? I would have thought they would have been down earlier in the day to rehearse. Everyone's really disappointed."

Pin-up former soap star Adam Rickett was among the other attractions of Party in the Dark, which finished with a spectacular 15-minute firework display that went some way to cheering up the massive crowd of around 5,000.

Rickett put in a slick performance. He came on stage after a five-minute delay wearing a see-through black vest, showing off his now famous physique, with five girl dancers. Rickett, who shot to fame in Coronation Street, performed his two hit singles.

He was followed on stage by female singing trio Fierce, who impressed with their silky smooth voices. And earlier in the evening, soloist Leilani got the crowd in the mood with two of her best tracks.

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