It is more than three decades since the composer Jeff Wayne transformed HG Wells's science-fiction novel The War of the Worlds into an award-winning rock opera, featuring performances by Justin Hayward, David Essex and Julie Covington.

Now, for the first time since then, the album - which has sold millions of copies around the world - has been updated and re-recorded with a new cast, including Joss Stone, Gary Barlow and Liam Neeson - who takes on the role of the story's narrator, originally played by Richard Burton.

The album will not be released until next month, but our arts correspondent Rebecca Jones has been given a preview.

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