Sublime.

Coming from legendary Leonard Cohen, king of the miserable lyric, that word is well deserved for Kent's very own Webb Sisters who accompanied him in a memorable concert at the 02 on Thursday.

Charley, 29, and Hattie, 27, from Sevenoaks, were more than just backing singers for the gravelly-voiced veteran who held spellbound an adoring sell-out audience of 20,000.

They were regularly singled out for praise by the poet/songwriter after some amazing backing vocals and then, towards the end of a marathon three-hour set, a radiant featured performance of Cohen’s poem If It be Thy Will.

Charley on guitar and Hattie on her trademark mini-harp would have caught the eye of future star-spotters as they entranced Cohen fans, most of whom were hearing the Webbs for the first time, and earned a huge ovation.

Standing alongside Cohen’s song-writing collaborator Sharon Robinson, who had recommended the Webbs - now managed by Peter Asher - to Cohen for the current world tour, the sisters looked the part, completely at home on the big stage.

Cohen, who embarked on this tour to clear pension debts, was far from his miserable worst, with smiles frequently beaming out from under that characteristic trilby hat. He even jogged off and on the stage with the energy of a much younger man.

He seemed genuinely touched by the warmth of the reception for an iconic entertainer who had not played London for more than 15 years. He frequently called the audience his friends and said humbly how much of an honour and privilege it was to sing for them.

He seemed reluctant to leave the stage and no wonder. Several standing ovations reminded the Canadian of theaffection he still inspires with his insightful words and a life lived to the full, indulged by copious doses of drugs and alcohol over the years.

But on stage, he was positively bubbly, his honeyed baritone taking us on a journey through a host of classic numbers that have made him such a world-wide favourite since he added singing to his writing talent in the 1970s.. Bird on a Wire, I’m Your Man, Closing Time, Suzanne, Hallelujah, Sisters of Mercy, and So Long Marianne were all there, given superb treatment by some marvellous musicians as well as the Webbs.

The 02's sound system was excellent. Every word and note were clear on a night to treasure, especially by the Webb Sisters whose career is surely set for a steep upward curve whenever this ever-lengthening Leonard Cohen world tour - extra gigs later this year at the Royal Albert Hall and the O2 (November 13) - comes to an end.

Truly sublime.