THE organiser of a third punk gig at a North-East university venue believes it will be a sell-out.

The Damned sold out Durham University's Dunelm House weeks in advance of their performance, and The Buzzcocks almost attracted a capacity crowd.

North-East promoter Jon Connor believes all 700 tickets for the next gig, by Stiff Little Fingers, on Saturday, October 8, will be sold.

He said: "Tickets went on sale on Saturday morning and we sold 107 in the first three hours.

"I think Stiff Little Fingers will sell out long before the gig.

"Stiff Little Fingers have heard such good reports from The Damned and The Buzzcocks about the enthusiasm of people at the gigs. They normally play Newcastle and sell out, but have decided to play Durham."

The support will be local punk cover band 1977, who have attracted a loyal following over the years.

The gig will start at 7.30pm and will finish in time for the last train to Newcastle. Tickets are £15.50, available from Concepts, in North Road, Durham, by calling 0191-383 0745 or by e-mailing www.gig box.co.uk

Tickets are also available for The Stranglers gig at Sunderland's Manor Quay on Saturday, August 27, and cost £16.50.

Mr Connor said the response so far to the gigs meant he would be organising more at Dunelm House, which years ago was a regular music venue, but had not hosted public gigs for more than a decade.