A MUSEUM is in tune with events thanks to support from a music retailer.

The Williams Music Group, from Darlington, is sponsoring a concert by internationally-renowned performers at the Bowes Museum, County Durham.

The group has also helped the friends group to buy a £7,000 Yamaha piano.

The museum's antique Bechstein concert grand piano was suffering after being frequently moved and regularly used.

On Saturday, the Friends of Bowes will host an evening of French song and cabaret with soprano Samantha Binnie and pianist Jonathan Beatty, called April in Paris, Paris in New York.

Friend's chairwoman Lesley Taylor said: "The support from Williams has enabled us to offer this top class event and will help to sponsor other performances in the future."

Jeff Lynn, chairman of the Music at the Bowes steering committee, said: "These concerts are very expensive to stage and so the sponsorship will enable our audiences to hear a wider variety of music here at the Bowes Museum.

"Josephine Bowes, herself an accomplished musician, and her husband, John Bowes, would have frequently attended musical evenings such as the one planned for April 16 and I am sure that they would have been delighted to see what we are trying to offer people now."

The piano will be used for concerts in smaller areas of the museum, such as the Caf Bowes, the Jubilee Room and the Galleries.

Pupils from local schools will be encouraged to use the piano and it will be available for weddings.

Tickets for the April concert are £12 for adults, £10 for friends and children under 16 will be admitted free.

For ticket information contact the friends on (01833) 690606, extension 233