A FRENCH music fan travelled hundreds of miles to see Morrissey play live in Manchester - only to be knocked unconscious the moment he walked on stage.

Brigitte Antoni, 34, who had waited nearly 20 years to see her hero perform on stage, made the journey from her home town in northern France to see him appear at the Move festival in Old Trafford last weekend.

But just as the former Smiths' frontman appeared, Brigitte was caught in a crowd surge and had to be carried away unconscious by security staff.

She ended up missing the entire concert. But when Morrissey was told about Brigitte's bad luck, he tried to cheer her up by sending a signed copy of his latest CD.

Brigitte said: "I have been a fan of his since 1985, but never got to see The Smiths or any of his solo gigs. This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance for me and I was very excited.

"But I only got to see him for about 10 seconds, because as he walked on stage the crowd surged forward and I was crushed. The next thing I remember is the security taking me away."

Brigitte was led away from the crowd area for treatment and was unable to watch the rest of the concert.

She was not seriously hurt and has made a full recovery.

Brigitte had travelled to Manchester from her home in Gresswiller, in the Alsace region of France, with her sister, France, and a pal, Corinne. The three women spent around '400 each on the trip, which included a stay in the Jarvis Piccadilly Hotel.

Brigitte added: "It cost a lot of money to come to the concert, but I was very happy because I was going to see Morrissey after all these years.

"Then this terrible thing happened and I was unable to see any of the concert. The security men took all my details, my name and address, but it was too late for me to see the concert.

"I was so sad on the way home. I know I might never get the chance to see him again."

When told of Brigitte's tale of woe, Morrissey immediately responded by arranging for a signed CD to be dispatched.

Signed copies of Morrissey's latest album and singles are very rare, and can command a high price with both fans and collectors.

"This has made me feel happy for the first time since the concert," said a delighted Brigitte when told of Morrissey's gesture at her home in France. "It was very nice. He is so kind."

Morrissey's new single, The First Of The Gang To Die, is expected to enter the top 10 this week.