BUDDING North-East rock stars dreaming of being the next Busted, McFly or Avril Lavigne can hone their talents this week.

Gateshead Council is running a Rock School, in the Big Top, at Saltwell Park, Gateshead, from today until Thursday.

The workshops are open to talented young guitarists, drummers and keyboard players, aged 11 and over.

Professional musicians will run sessions in the art of rock. The timetable includes classic rock tunes, hard rock and metal riffs, acoustic work and contemporary song writing.

All the sessions run from 10am to 12.30pm and admission is £1 per day. Visitors to the park can enjoy a free lunchtime concert each day, from 12.30pm to 12.45pm.

The house band and young guests will perform a concert in the Big Top each day, 2.30pm to 3.30pm. Admission is £2.

Published: 09/08/2004