FORMER Lindisfarne frontman Ray Jackson has added a second date to his revival of the band’s famous Christmas shows after the first gig sold out within hours.

The singer, harmonica and mandolin player announced a concert at the closure-threatened Newcastle City Hall on December 23.

Promoter Barry McKay has now announced a second date on December 22 at the venue, which is potentially facing the axe under council funding cuts.

He said: "The first show sold out on Wednesday in the first few hours, the fastest selling of any Christmas show that I have ever organised anywhere in the UK and I’ve promoted hundreds of them back in the 1970s and 80s.

"The Newcastle City Hall booking office was inundated with hundreds of telephone calls requesting tickets".

He added: "Ray Jackson is emotionally overwhelmed after meeting so many happy fans while he was in Newcastle yesterday, who have been congratulating him on his return and thanking him for coming back to support Newcastle City Hall."

Lindisfarne’s Christmas shows were a popular annual event for the region’s music fans and Ray Jackson plans to perform several of the songs from the band’s heyday such as Lady Eleanor, Fog on the Tyne and Run for Home.

City Hall manager Peter Brennan said: "There has been a tremendous response for this show. It proves once again that if we get a good show we can sell it out.

"Ray Jackson’s Christmas Show is the fastest selling show involving Lindisfarne that we have ever had at the City Hall".

Tickets are £20 to £40 on sale on 0191-277-8030.