BILLIE Holiday, Janis Joplin and Jimmy Hendrix are just some of the music legends to grace the Blues Hall of Fame.

The online gallery celebrates the great and the good, singling out the musicians, writers, venues and promoters that have been instrumental to the genre.

However, you don't have to travel too far to find its latest inductee.

For Sedgefield Rock and Blues Club in County Durham is one of the first venues into the UK to be inducted into the hall of fame and its founders could not be happier.

Garry Jacobs, from Bishop Middleham, near Sedgefield, said: “We are absolutely delighted. It was quite a shock when we found out. It just shows how far we have come.

“I think what makes us so successful is the fact we don’t over stretch ourselves. We are not putting on a concert every week so we leave people hungry for more.”

The club shares the honour with North-East photographer, John Finlayson, who earned a spot in the prestigious gallery with his atmospheric images from blues concerts across the region.

Sedgefield Rock and Blues Club was established in 2009 after Mr Jacobs and Eric Hemmings, dreamt up the idea over a pint of beer at a friend’s barbecue.

Fast forward five years and the club is one of the most popular live music venues in the region, holding concerts at Sedgefield Parish Hall every six to eight weeks.

Up-and-coming and established acts from across the globe are queuing up to perform and gigs sell out within weeks.

Along the way, the friends have recruited more rock and blues fans to help run the club and the team is extremely proud of what has been achieved.

Mr Jacobs said: “The venue itself is fantastic. We get excellent feedback from the acts and the audience.

“It is all about the music for us. All the money we raise is invested back into the club and pays for the musicians.”

Sunderland-based singer-songwriter Trevor Sewell nominated the club for inclusion in the hall in recognition of its commitment to showcasing the talent of well known acts and rising stars.

Mr Sewell is a big name on the blues circuit, especially in the United States, and is a regular performer and spectator at Sedgefield.

Other internationally acclaimed acts to have graced the stage include former Bluesbreaker Buddy Whittington, who has played alongside musical greats such as John Mayall and Eric Clapton, and Chantel McGregor, the first female artist to be crowned Guitarist of the Year at the British Blues Awards.

For more information about upcoming gigs, including Lawrence Jones, Alex McKown, Brothers Groove and Blues Boy Dan Owen, visit sedgefieldblues.com

To view the Blues Hall of Fame visit blueshalloffame.com