TWO of the country's top classical singers are to team up with east Durham children to present a night of Opera in the Park.

Graeme Danby, principal bass with English National Opera and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and Valerie Reid, a mezzo soprano with the English National Opera, are producing highlights from works by Gilbert and Sullivan in the grounds of Shotton Hall, in Peterlee, on July 5, beginning at 6pm.

Ahead of the performance, the singers will be coaching more than 70 east Durham pupils, aged eight to 15.

The evening in the grounds of Shotton Hall will be the first of its kind in the area.

The public is invited to picnic on the lawn while listening to the music.

John Arthur, clerk to Peterlee Town Council, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for the people of east Durham to experience something different in a setting which would be difficult to beat. I am proud to help bring such an event to Peterlee."

The following evening, the venue will ring out with music of a different kind, when performers from Wellfield School, Dene School, Shotton Hall School and East Durham and Houghall Community College present their own version of a Live 8 concert.

The event, which will begin at 6pm on Wednesday, July 6, will be in aid of Africa.

Tickets for the Live 8 event will cost £1 and are available from the participating schools and Peterlee Town Council offices.