TOWIE star Mario Falcone a hit with Telford clubbers

The Only Way is Essex star Mario Falcone swapped Essex for Shropshire when he dropped in on a county nightspot.

Hundreds of fans packed out the Pussycats Club in Telford on Saturday night to meet the star of ITV 2's The Only Way Is Essex.

Mario was due to appear last Saturday but cancelled because of the bad weather.

Tickets into a VIP lounge, where revellers were guaranteed a meet and greet with the star, sold out within minutes when club bosses put them up for sale.

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Dale Lloyd, promoter at Pussycats, said: "It was a fantastic evening and everyone had a brilliant time.

"We opened the club half an hour early and Mario arrived bang on time. He first did a meet and greet with those who bought VIP tickets and then he went into the main room to chat with everyone else and have pictures taken.

"He was very popular with the ladies but also got on with the lads really well too. He got a great reception from everyone.

"He seemed really genuine and we would certainly have him back again."

Mr Lloyd added Pussycats is set to continue the TOWIE theme when James 'Arg' Argent makes a similar appearance on March 2. VIP tickets for the event are available now from the Dragon's Den Chinese Restaurant, at Central Square, Telford.