ORGANISERS of an annual riverside pop concert have announced the headline act for this year's event.

Pop Idol Will Young will perform a 20-minute set at the Stockton TFM Live concert, in conjunction with 96.6tfm and Stockton Borough Council, at Stockton Riverside on July 25.

The concert forms part of the 17th Stockton International Riverside Festival.

Will Young will perform his hits, Evergreen, Anything is Possible, Light My Fire and Leave Right Now, as well as his new single, Friday's Child.

With several more big names still to be announced, it is hoped the event will draw a crowd of about 25,000.

Tickets are now on sale, priced £10, plus fee for phone and Internet bookings.

Family tickets, which must include at least two children, are priced £30.

They are available from TFM reception in Thornaby, Stockton Tourist Information Centre, HMV Middlesbrough and Darlington, or by contacting 0870 1288 966.

Alternatively, they may be booked online at www.aloud.com

Cath Ellington, managing director of 96.6tfm, said: "Once again, 96.6tfm and Stockton council have teamed up to bring the biggest live pop event of the summer to the region.

"The emphasis is on quality acts who will be performing slightly longer sets than in the past.

"To bring an event as big as this to the Tees Valley is a huge investment for Stockton council and 96.6tfm, in terms of organising some of music's biggest names to come to Stockton. We are committed to it being bigger and better than ever."

Councillor Alex Cunningham, Stockton council's cabinet member for education, leisure and cultural services, said: "Once again, Stockton Riverside will play host to some of the biggest names in the pop world and the line-up really does present great value for money."

Published: 08/06/2004