The teenagers queued up to go into church at Watford on Sunday evening [January 22, 1967]. Police patrolled the pavements and in the end, hundreds of young people had to be turned away because the church and overspill hall were packed.

But this was a church service with a difference. It was the birthday rally of Watford Youth for Christ, and there in Clarendon Road Congregational Church to talk to hundreds of young people was pop singer and film star Cliff Richard.

Cliff played his guitar, sang gospel songs and talked of how he became a Christian and how it had affected his outlook on life.

When one girl screamed in delight as he came forward with his guitar, he told her: "If you must do that, the Rolling Stones are on television tonight."

After the rally Cliff, accompanied by three ministers, visited the Youth For Christ coffee bar in Market Street.