DO you think he's sexy? The answer seems to be a resounding "Yes!". For ageing rocker Rod Stewart still has plenty of pulling power - at the box office at least.

Fans of the 59-year-old gravel-voiced singer have been snapping up tickets for his concert at the Bournemouth International Centre next month at record speed.

Not deterred by the hefty £65 price tag - the most expensive ever for a BIC concert - fans from all over Britain and abroad were clamouring for tickets for the October 9 concert as soon as online sales went live at 10am on Friday September 10.

Within 20 minutes tickets for the one-off concert on October 9 were selling at a staggering rate of £1,000 worth a minute smashing all known box office records.

BIC IT officer Rob Rushworth said: "We haven't seen ticket sales like this since the Will Young concert held last March. Forty three per cent of ticket sales so far have been online, but there are still a few tickets left."

Eager fans also queued outside the concert hall to buy direct from the box office.

Delighted BIC bosses see the concert as a portent of the future.

The 1980s conference and entertainment complex is due to undergo a £20 million redevelopment scheme providing, among other things, a much bigger concert hall.

BIC and Pavilion director Kevin Sheehan said: "The redevelopment means the BIC will be put firmly on the map as one of the UK's top choices for organisers and promoters meaning we can secure big names such as Rod Stewart on a more frequent basis."

Remaining tickets can be purchased at the BIC Box Office or by visiting www.bic.co.uk or calling 0870 111 3000.