IRISH chart toppers Boyzone entertained pop fans young and old as they played an outdoor gig at the North-East’s premier cricket venue at the weekend.

Ronan Keating and pals gave fans who had braved the downpours to make it to Durham’s county cricket ground a journey down memory lane, playing hits such as Words, Picture Of You and No Matter What.

Concert-goers donned wellies and waterproofs for Saturday night’s gig, although by the time support act Kian Egan, formerly of Westlife, appeared on stage the deluge had passed and the sunshine returned.

Egan, whose star rose when he won I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, played a few Westlife favourites, some new songs and a crowd-pleasing version of the Kings of Leon’s Sex on Fire.

Boyzone appeared in tuxedos, backed by grainy images from their early years.

They delivered a polished two-hour set complete with dance routines and a tribute to former band member Stephen Gatley, who died in 2009, aged 33.

The Emirates Durham International Cricket Ground concert came after it was announced Keating is to make his West End debut, taking the lead in the romantic musical Once from November.