MUSICIANS from a North-East orchestra are holding a double celebration this month to commemorate their 21st anniversary and their founder member's recovery from cancer.

Cleveland Chamber Orchestra is teaming up with Cleveland Philharmonic Choir for a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony on Saturday.

Musical director Tim Jackson founded the orchestra shortly after moving to the region as a music teacher, in 1981, to give amateur musicians a creative outlet.

He has been suffering non-Hodgkins lymphoma for three years and receiving chemotherapy, which leaves him tired and unwell.

Mr Jackson requires ongoing treatment, but doctors have told him he does not need any more chemotherapy for a while as he prepares for his radiotherapy sessions next month.

"I'm really looking forward to this concert because I was not sure if I would be well enough to conduct the orchestra during the rehearsals, but I've had the medical all-clear and I'm feeling great," said Mr Jackson, 55, who lives in Richmond, North Yorkshire.

"Beethoven is such a master, and this piece has not been played on Teesside since 1978 when Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra did it.

"It is just the most amazing piece of music to perform and listen to because it really gets the emotions going,"

The performance, the Beethoven Ninth Experience, will take place at Stockton Baptist Tabernacle, at 7.30pm, on Saturday.

Tickets costing £10 can be purchased in advance from Greensleeves, Northallerton, or by telephoning (01748) 821343 or (01642) 656273.

Win tickets

THE Northern Echo has teamed up with Cleveland Chamber Orchestra to give eight tickets to readers. The deadline for entries is noon today.

Get your entry in by visiting www.thisisthe-northeast.co.uk and tell us in which year Beethoven was born.