IT was long considered something of a holy grail for Led Zeppelin fans, but now the band's entire gig recorded at Starkers Ballroom (now the Opera House), Boscombe in 1971 has appeared on internet trading sites.

Even before Led Zeppelin split in 1980 after the death of drummer John Bonham, collectors from all over the world have been tracking down and exchanging recordings of hundreds of the band's shows.

For years a 60-minute fragment of the Starkers show - part of a tour in support of Zeppelin's legendary fourth album - has done the rounds of the bootleg community, but now the entire concert is available on a three-CD set called Rock And Roll Magic.

"As I was the new producer of the venue, I thought it was my duty to go and hunt for it," says Opera House production manager James Brennan.

"I made a few calls to some record collectors I knew and then within a couple of days they sent me a few copies. The quality isn't fantastic obviously, being a bootleg, but it's still Zeppelin and I love it - every minute, every note."

Although many Led Zeppelin live shows are available as bootlegs, interest in the Starkers show continues to ripple around the international collectors scene.

"The rarity of this show is simply due to the fact that not many complete shows from 1971 are in circulation," says Dale, a Led Zeppelin expert we contacted in Canada.

"Despite limitations the source is very enjoyable and the show equals the other shows on this short tour of the UK. Dazed and Confused is a winner, with another version of the Theme from Shaft, which served as a precursor to The Crunge in 1972 and the funk part of the piece in 1973 onwards.

"The Whole Lotta Love medley is also very inspired. Truckin' Little Mama was obviously thrown in by Robert, singing the first two lines a capella and the rest of the band scramble to follow along.

"This title is definitely worth having, given the scarcity of complete shows from this important tour."

Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page recently testified in a Glasgow court against a businessman charged with dealing in illegal bootlegs.

Page said that while he recognised fans liked to exchange unofficial live recordings, he wasn't prepared to stand by and watch people make profit out of it.

Jimmy Page has previously confiscated bootleg stock in person from a Japanese record shop.

Can you shed any more light on Led Zeppelin's show at Starkers? Share your memories, email Nick at the link above or comment online below.