Opera singer Suzannah Clarke is appealing for an eligible partner to join her in a duet.

Her only stipulation is that whoever joins her in song is a footballer.

"I am hoping to have someone from the world of football sing with me,'' said Middlesbrough-born Suzannah.

The diva, who sang at the opening of Euro '96, before 70,000 fans at the Wembley Stadium and to a further 440m television viewers worldwide, is doing her bit to help crisis hit Darlington Football Club by leading a fund raising sing along in the town's Cornmill Shopping Centre, next month.

Suzannah, who sang at the England versus Albania World Cup qualifier in 2000, and at the England versus Slovakia World Cup qualifier last year, is hoping to be joined by a football personality in leading a sing along at the Cornmill.

"I am hoping we will do a duet together and it does not matter if they cannot sing; I will gladly give whoever it is a little singing lesson,'' offered Suzannah, who trained with Arrigo Pola, Pavarotti's singing teacher.

Boro support Suzannah, will lead shoppers and supporters in renditions of You'll Never Walk Alone and Here We Go and popular pieces of opera. She will sing personal favourites for a donation to the Quakers' fighting fund. She says saving the Quakers is essential.

The sing along will take place at the Cornmill on February 21. Full story in The Northern Echo tomorrow.