SOME of the top pop stars of the 1980s partied with hundreds of delirious fans during a huge open-air concert in Ipswich tonight.

Chart icons including Rick Astley, Tony Hadley, ABC, Go West and Carol Decker of T’Pau rolled back the years to deliver a string of flawless performances and exciting collaborations.

The fun kicked off at 7.30pm in Christchurch Park and the town rocked to the sound of classic pop tunes such as The Look of Love, We Close Our Eyes and China in Your Hand.

And Rick Astley’s massively successful chart hit Never Gonna Give You Up was one of the biggest highlights for many, proving as popular last night as it ever did during its epic five week reign at the top of the charts in 1987.

Carol Decker opened the proceedings in style, delighting the audience with a set-closing rendition of number one single China in Your Hand, before Go West upped the pace, even teaming up with Rick Astley for a cover of Smokey Robinson’s Motown classic Tracks of My Tears.

The duo of Peter Cox and Richard Drummie then launched into a rocking rendition of the Kings of Leon hit Sex on Fire while also performing top pop anthems including We Close Our Eyes, King of Wishful Thinking, Call Me and Faithful.

Then ABC took to the stage to perform a mix of more recent tracks alongside hits from classic album The Lexicon of Love. Sharp-suited frontman Martin Fry delivered Shoot that Poison Arrow, All of My Heart, The Look of Love and When Smokey Sings effortlessly and his smooth style went down well with an eager crowd.

After a shirt break they were followed on to the stage by heartthrob Rick Astley, still looking as fresh-faced as he did in his heyday, and Tony Hadley, who performed duets as well as belting out their own hits.

Tony Hadley offered tracks from the vast Spandau Ballet back catalogue as well as a few surprise cover versions before the night was polished off by a fantastic firework display.