Tickets to see pop legend Madonna at the 02 go on sale today, but just over a decade ago some from the county were lucky enough to see her closer to home for free.

In May 2008, the star came to Mote Park in Maidstone to perform at Radio 1's Big Weekend, and landed in a helicopter two hours before her headline gig.

She arrived on stage seated on a golden throne to perform opening number Candy Shop in front of a packed tent, and was wearing a lacy top and tracksuit bottoms tucked into knee high boots.

Give It 2 Me and Music both got big cheers and when the time came to perform number one single Four Minutes, Madonna gyrated with a virtual Justin Timberlake.

At one point the singer even donned a guitar, and strummed a few bars of the Stones' Satisfaction before leading into one of her own hits.

The star did a four-hour sound check the night before the event, and despite only playing six songs the set was loved by fans.

Tickets were free, although preference was given to people who lived in and around Maidstone.

It was also one of the few chances to see the star perform live that year.

As well as Madonna, electro-pop band Goldfrapp, American stars Usher and Nelly, Swedish sensation Robyn, and Welsh songstress Duffy also performed at the event.

This was as well as The Kooks, The Feeling, The Enemy, The Hoosiers, The Fratellis, Pigeon Detectives, Adele, One Republic, Newton Faulkner, and Scouting for Girls.