Making Sure The Legend Is Protected

Sir Paul McCartney will be surrounded by 5,000 security guards when he performs in Israel tonight (25.09.08).

The £1.5 million security cordon - consisting of police, agents from Britain's MI6 and members of Israel's Mossad intelligence organisation - will protect the former Beatle during his concert in Tel Aviv after Muslim extremists issued death threats against him.

A source said: "No one is taking anything for granted. The level of security is more than we've ever seen. Everything is being done to ensure that this passes without incident."

The 66-year-old musician is staying in the city's plush Dan Hotel with girlfriend Nancy Shevell - and 21 suites surrounding his room have also been booked at a cost of £70,000 to ensure no one can get close to him.

The source added to Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "Only security and a handful of Paul's entourage will be near him. Everything is tailored to ensure he is 100 per cent safe."

Paul and Nancy arrived in Israel yesterday (24.09.08) and were surrounded by security from the moment they left their plane.

Female First