A couple mad about Status Quo are spending more than £1,000 travelling from Australia to see their heroes perform in Rochester.

Peter Smith and his wife Jenny will be heading over to England for the first time in July to fulfil a lifelong dream.

Mr Smith, who runs a telecommunications business in Melbourne, said: “It has always on my bucket list to see Status Quo at home in the UK.

“I bought a ticket to see the Frantic Four reunion tour in Glasgow a year ago but could not get away from the shop. The ticket is still pinned above my desk and has pride of place.

“The timing of Castle Concerts suited perfectly.

“When I was younger I looked like Rick Parfitt – with hair – but now I am more Francis Rossi – no hair.” Peter Smith

“I can only get away from Melbourne for 10 days so I jumped at this as soon as I saw the gig on the Quo website.”

The 55-year-old has been a fan of the veteran rockers for more than 40 years and has seen them perform seven times in Australia.

The super fan even does the shopping more than normal now as the band are currently headlining an advertising campaign for a supermarket chain out there.

He joked: “When I was younger I looked like Rick Parfitt – with hair – but now I am more Francis Rossi – no hair.”

He and Mrs Smith, who have two grown-up children, Jessica and Ben, are paying more than £500 each for their flights over to England, plus the cost of the tickets, and accommodation at the Ramada Encore at Chatham Maritime.

Mr Smith added: “Status Quo have never wavered from a standard formula and do it so well. I cannot wait.

“This time we are coming rain, hail or shine. Meeting the band would be a dream come true, but this will come close.

“My daughter Jessica visited Medway a couple of years ago and told me it was a lovely place.”

The couple also landed tickets to an England cricket match at Lords during their nine-day trip, which is another item off their bucket list.