LUCKY punters at a St Albans pub enjoyed an exclusive gig from one of Britain s best-known pop bands last night (Tuesday). Members of The Feeling, a five-piece band who first found fame with their chart-topping 2005 single Fill My Little World, squeezed i

LUCKY punters at a St Albans pub enjoyed an exclusive gig from one of Britain's best-known pop bands last night (Tuesday).

Members of The Feeling, a five-piece band who first found fame with their chart-topping 2005 single Fill My Little World, squeezed into The Boot Inn on the Market Place for the surprise performance and kept the small crowd entertained until nearly midnight.

Drummer Paul Stewart, a St Albans resident and regular at The Boot, brought a couple of his band members - including keyboard star Ciaran Jeremiah - along for the free showcase and the musicians belted out pop classics ranging from The Beach Boys to Queen and The Clash.

The Feeling kicked their show off with a promise to "bring some Christmas cheer to St Albans" and, with a little help from the mulled wine on tap, they certainly delivered. Their funky rendition of Stevie Wonder's Very Superstitious merged into an upbeat version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and the young rockers had everyone in the mood for festive fun by the end of So Here It Is Merry Christmas.

As if an exclusive performance from a BRIT-nominated pop band wasn't enough of a Christmas treat, St Albans pubbers also got to hear Sinéad Quinn, UK Fame Academy runner-up in 2002, blast out some country classics.

Sinéad, who married drummer Paul earlier this month following his proposal outside St Albans Abbey, also joined the band for some Christmassy duets and had the crowd swaying with her fiery rendition of The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl's Fairytale of New York.

Katie Bovington, a 21-year-old St Albans resident, said it was one of her best nights out this year: "I can't believe that The Feeling came to St Albans on a lazy Tuesday evening. They're amazing live, especially because all their friends came up and joined them on stage. I'll be telling everyone about this!"

The Feeling's new single, Feels Like Christmas, was released on Monday and they are currently working on their third album. The band, who played the gig completely free of charge, concluded the evening by thanking the starstruck crowd and sending a collection bucket round for Herts Air Ambulance Trust.