Sir Cliff Richard announces Shropshire open-air concert

The veteran singer has announced he will be playing an open-air concert at Walcot Hall in south Shropshire, as one of just 10 dates across the UK and Ireland next year.

The 76-year-old is releasing his 101st album on Friday, which he announced upon having been cleared of historical sex abuse accusations.

Sir Cliff said the tour would be of "the UK's most beautiful castles and historic locations in June and July 2017, together with a single date in Cork, Ireland."

He added: "They are like festival shows, open air concerts.

"We're doing two in Denmark, one in Ireland and nine in Britain."

Though outdoors, the concerts will be fully seated, with a wheelchair platform available at each.

Walcot Hall, best known as a wedding venue and holiday cottage location, is in the village of Lydbury North, near Bishop's Castle, that has a population of about just 300 people.

The Georgian country house, once owned by Clive of India and today the home of the Parish family, previously played host to a younger generation's musical hearts throbs when One Direction filmed there, but it is unusual for a rock concert to be staged there, as Sir Cliff will be doing on June 21.

His new album, Just... Fabulous Rock n Roll, includes new versions of rock n roll classics such as Roll Over Beethoven, Great Balls of Fire, Sweet Little Sixteen and his own debut single, Move It, as well as a duet with fellow idol Elvis Presley on Blue Suede Shoes.

News of the album comes days after a review concluded the CPS was correct to not prosecute the singer over historical sexual abuse allegations.

The veteran singer said that he broke down and wept after learning that police would not pursue charges against him this summer.

Four men had alleged sex assaults between 1958 and 1983 but in June prosecutors said no charges would be brought, a ruling confirmed in September.

Sir Cliff, said he suffered "distress, humiliation, anxiety and illness" as well as periods of depression during the 22-month investigation by South Yorkshire Police.

He is currently taking legal action against the police and the BBC, who filmed a raid on his Berkshire mansion in 2014.

Tickets for the Shropshire concert are priced between £65 and £45, plus booking fees.

Other venues include Live at The Marquee in Cork, Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire, Stansted Park in Hampshire, Catton Hall in Derbyshire, Lincoln Castle in Lincolnshire, Euston Hall in Suffolk, Harewood House and Scarborough Open Air Theatre in Yorkshire and Greenwich Music Time in London.