Sir Paul McCartney has announced details of a new European tour, which will climax in London on December 22.

The seven-date tour, which begins in Hamburg on December 2, will mark the former Beatle's first European tour for five years.

Entitled Good Evening Europe, the tour will also call in Berlin (December 3), Arnhem (December 9) and Paris (December 10).

Sir Paul will also play dates in Cologne (December 16) and Dublin (December 20) before calling in London.

The singer's gig at the O2 Arena is set to take place 46 years to the day since the Beatles' first Christmas gig at the Liverpool Empire Theatre.

"This is my chance to bring our current show home to where it all began. Starting in Hamburg, ending in London and rocking everywhere in between,” Sir Paul said.

“I'm very much looking forward to ending the year on a high."

Sir Paul McCartney's European dates are:

• Hamburg, Color Line Arena – December 2
• Berlin, O2 World - 3
• Arnhem, Gelredome - 9
• Paris, Bercy - 10
• Cologne, Koln Arena - 16
• Dublin, The O2 - 20
• London,The O2 Arena - 22

(by Jason Gregory)