A ROCK 'n' roll veteran who played with the Beatles in Hamburg is coming out of retirement for a benefit gig to help babies.

Freddie 'Fingers' Lee has announced that his annual benefit show will be in aid of the Tiny Lives charity, which supports the special care baby unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Newcastle.

Famed for his wild stage antics, Freddie officially retired from touring in the UK in 1998, to concentrate on the European circuit.

But the 65-year-old still puts on an annual show in his home town of Consett, to raise money for charities and local good causes.

"After a friends' baby received such superb attention from the special care baby unit at Newcastle RVI hospital, I wanted to do something to say thank you to the staff there," he said.

The concert takes place at Blackhill Club in Consett on Friday, September 19, at 7.30pm.

Advance tickets cost £4.50 and are available from the club on (01207) 502315. Remaining tickets will be £5 on the door, but the show is expected to be a sell-out.