TWO music enthusiasts from Darlington have set up what is believed to be the North-East's first non-profit making record label.

Steve Browne, 27, and 23-year-old Chris Elgie set up Originate Recordings with the help of the Prince's Trust.

They want to sign up Darlington and South Durham bands and showcase talent in the area.

The pair have already produced an album, Underground North-East, which is being sold in the eight independent record shops in Darlington.

Each band signed up has also produced an EP and £2 from every sale goes back to the Prince's Trust.

The rest of the profit goes back into the label and is used to fund concerts for bands.

Mr Browne said: "There is so much mass-produced stuff on the market now that talented, home-grown bands are finding it hard to get a look-in. We have so many talented bands and musicians in town and nothing to celebrate that until now.

"On the first album, the bands are across the board. We have hip-hop, R&B and dance music.

"Since we released the album the publicity through word-of-mouth has been fantastic, we have had people calling us from all over the place asking about the label."

The pair have the use of a 400-seater venue, Ferryhill Workingmen's Club, for gigs