A DEVOTED fan of The Shadows has fulfilled her dream of being pictured with the trio - thanks to the Evening Press.

Jennifer Chatten, of Wentworth Drive, Harrogate, made an emotional plea to have her photo taken with the band prior to their farewell York concert at the Barbican, as their music has helped her endure personal tragedy during the last few years.

We contacted The Shadows' tour manager on her behalf, and he arranged for Jennifer to meet Hank, Bruce and Brian prior to last night's performance.

"I'm grateful to everyone at the Evening Press for making this possible," said an emotional Jennifer, whose ten-year-old son, Jordan, is learning the guitar.

"It's a bitter-sweet day as this is their farewell tour, but they are giving us a good send-off.

"I always wanted a picture of me with them all together. They know how to deal with fame and how to treat their fans.

"There's nothing big-headed about them."

Jennifer planted a big kiss on the trio before saying goodbye for the last time.

The experience gave her a huge lift, as she has suffered from several personal tragedies in recent years.

In March 2002, Alan, her husband of almost 36 years, died of a heart attack at the age of only 58.

Four months earlier, Jennifer had undergone major surgery for breast cancer.

Hank Marvin said he was "delighted" to make her dream come true.

"Jennifer has gone above and beyond the call of duty in coming to see us for all these years!" he said.

"The tour has gone brilliantly. We've had a wonderful reaction from the fans, full of enthusiasm and warmth."

Jennifer, 59, has been a fan since the band was formed in 1958. Her first experience of them playing live was at York Rialto on January 24, 1959, when she was 13. It was the first night of their first headlining tour with Cliff Richard, when they were known as The Drifters. Also on the bill were Wee Willie Harris, Tony Crombie and his Rockets, The Bachelors and Kerry Martin, with Jimmy Tarbuck as compere.

Jennifer, who was president of Cliff's Yorkshire Fan Club from 1979 to 1998, still has the programme and ticket from that concert, signed by Cliff.

"They have a unique sound and are such nice people," said Jennifer, who was accompanied at the performance by her daughter, Lynne.

Updated: 09:21 Saturday, May 08, 2004