ST HELENS town centre will be busier than normal on Friday night before and after the Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott gig at The Totally Wicked Stadium.

Plenty will be looking for a quick drink before going on to the stadium.

The gates open at 5pm, with The Lathums on at 6.10pm and Proclaimers at 7.15pm.

The main act comes on at 8.30pm.

Here are a selection of the pubs that will be within walking distance of the gig.

Travellers getting off at Lea Green should try the Bull & Dog next to the station. It is still a 35-minute, 1.6mile walk to the ground so give yourself time.

The Glass Horse on Sherdley Road is the closest to the venue being about 10 minutes walk away from the stadium.

It is a modern Hungry Horse pub which serves food and has a beer garden.

The next nearest is the Glass House in Market Street in the centre of town is 0.6 miles away – a 12-minute walk away from the stadium.

It is a Wetherspoon’s pub that is always busy on matchdays – and Friday will be no different. There is a small outside drinking area.

The freshly re-opened Royal Alfred is directly opposite St Helens Central station and handy for a meeting point pint before the 15-minute walk to the stadium 0.7 miles away.

The George is a traditional boozer, just around the corner in George Street, is a similar distance to the event.

Slightly further into town the Nelson and Market are two traditionally lively and large town centre pubs in Bridge Street, approximately 0.8 miles away or around 16 minutes. The Brasserie Chalon in Barrow Street is smaller, but pretty central.

The Sefton, in Baldwin Street, is another large pub that serves food and has a wide choice of ale. It is featured in this year’s Good Beer Guide. The Sefton is about 20 minutes away from the ground, approximately 0.9 miles away.

Anyone making a day of it and heading into town early can try one of St Helens’ finest two pubs.

The Cricketers in Peter Street is a lively, award-winning boozer on the edge of the town and one time CAMRA National Pub of the Year. It has a huge selection of beers – and there is always a warm and vibrant atmosphere. It has outdoor seating too.

It is a 25-minute walk to the stadium but well worth it if you are arriving in town in the afternoon.

In the same boat – and again a little further out – is the Turks Head in Cooper Street. A fantastic pub that serves food and has outdoor seating. It is side-by-side sister pub the Cowley Vaults – which has a large beer garden.

It is 1.3 miles away – about half an hour’s walk from the ground - so give yourself time if you are opting for this one.

It is a similar distance for the News Room on Duke Street – another CAMRA guide entry that has a strong music vibe and a good beer selection.

The place should be open from 4pm on Friday. Again, give yourself time.

Afterwards the town centre will be lively again with the Imperial Quarter and Westfield Street bars likely to be popular.