‘I had no idea so many people in Norwich kept rats’ - Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson on his city visit

Crowds queuing around the block to meet rock legend Bruce Dickinson - Paul John Bayfield (Image: PAUL JOHN BAYFIELD)

Iron Maiden frontman and airline pilot Bruce Dickinson drew huge crowds from across East Anglia as he paid a flying visit to Norwich.

Dickinson had touched down to sign copies of his autobiography at Waterstones.

The singer, whose band's hits include Two Minutes to Midnight, Run to the Hills, the Number of the Beast and Fear of the Dark, said: 'It's great.

'It's fantastic doing this - you meet, albeit briefly, some really interesting people.

Fans flock to Waterstones to meet rock legend Bruce Dickinson at his book signing in Waterstones - Paul John Bayfield (Image: PAUL JOHN BAYFIELD)

'I had no idea so many people in Norwich kept rats - there's a whole subculture of people having rats.'

The book signing, on a cold and wintry Tuesday, night was not the first time Dickinson had been in Norwich.

He had played at the former Oval Rock House on Dereham Road when Iron Maiden appeared under the alias of The Nodding Donkeys in a gig in the 1990s.

He said: 'Norwich is a great place. When I was flying as a pilot I was in and out all the time on chartered flights. It's a great place.'

Hundreds of people - some of whom had been queuing for hours - formed a huge line which snaked out of the Castle Street store and onto the street outside.

Nicky Ellis, from Norwich, was first in the queue after pitching up at 9.30am.

It was the second time in just a few weeks the devoted Iron Maiden fan, who has seen the band about 15 times, had queued up to see her idol.

She said: 'I went to the London signing about three weeks ago.

Members of Iron Maiden with Oval Rock House landlord Chris Hiles (sleeveless t-shirt) in 1992.

'He's just an amazing guy: a singer, a pilot...he's everything age he's s really nice guy as well.

At the back of the queue was Andrea Lovick, 50, from Little Melton, who had come to get a copy of the book signed for her 20-year-old son.

Fans who had come early to meet Bruce avoided the cold wait outside. - Paul John Bayfield (Image: PAUL JOHN BAYFIELD)

Will & Alice proudly show off their autographed books - Paul John Bayfield (Image: PAUL JOHN BAYFIELD)

After waiting four hours, Will gets his book signed. Well worth it ! - Paul John Bayfield (Image: PAUL JOHN BAYFIELD)

Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden. Photo: Yui Mok/PA Wire