A surprise surprise plea for Cilla Black

British services' broadcaster BFBS feels it is doing its bit for the troops when it is forced to play Elton John or Phil Collins.

But a caller pushed it to the limit last week.

A keen listener to the station, a British woman phoned regularly during the week with an odd request - she asked for the national anthem.

Realising the masses would probably not appreciate a jump from Elvis Costello to a brass band, and the only alternative being the Sex Pistols, the station pleaded for something else.

Her response: Cilla Black.