A WARM civic welcome is in store for a group of overseas visitors who will arrive in the region today.

The Ugandan Children's Choir is to provide a dockside welcome for the Mercy Ship MV Anastasis, when it berths in Sunderland.

The vessel, one of a fleet of three, will be in the area to promote the charitable medical relief and development work that the medical ships carry out across Africa.

Frank Major, port manager said: "We are delighted to be chosen from other regional ports to play host to the MV Anastasis which will be open to the public for 15 days to allow visitors to view the many facilities and services it provides for the Third World, supported entirely by charitable donations.''

"The MV Anastasis is here as our guest, providing another layer of interest to the port and demonstrating to the world that we can berth such a substantial sized ship here, so close to all the amenities of the city centre.''

After its harbour welcome the choir, a group of 18 Ugandan children orphaned by war and disease in Africa, will then travel into the city centre.

They will go to the West Park United Reformed Church near Park Lane to perform at the Concert of Hope at 7.30pm.

Among the guests will be the Mayor Councillor Juliana Heron.

Coun Heron has also been invited, on Thursday, to visit the mercy ship where she will give a civic welcome from the community and business leaders.