LOCAL band The Whisky Priests will headline a free music weekend in Durham.

The band, formed in 1985 by brothers Gary and Glenn Miller, has achieved international fame with nine albums and 1,200 gigs in 19 countries.

On Sunday the group, which features a new line-up, will perform in the city's Market Place at the annual live music festival organised by the Durham City Forum.

The event has been extended to two days and will feature jazz groups on Saturday and a mini-motor show featuring displays by local garages on Sunday.

Durham city centre manager Chris Rawlinson said: "Saturday's jazz day will be a first for Durham and there will be a number of jazz bands to provide free entertainment all round the city centre.

"On Sunday, we have another first, a mini-motor show in the Market Place, which will be combined with a fantastic staged musical programme.

"Our usual live music day has grown to a whole weekend of free entertainment in Durham city centre.''

On Saturday, Musix will play traditional jazz in the Market Place at 11.15am and 1.15pm. Maltman 6 will play jazz funk in the courtyard of the Coach and Eight, Framwelgate Bridge, at 11.45am and 1.45pm.

On Elvet Bridge at 12.15pm and 2.15pm the Mark Toomey Quartet will be performing cool and modern jazz.

Jazz Girl, a trio featuring singer Claire Johnson, will be in the caf bar at the Gala Theatre, Millennium Place, Claypath, from 1pm to 4pm.

On stage in Market Place, Sunday's programme features Houghton Area Youth Brass Band at 1pm, local pop band Starla at 1.45pm, folk group Dusk til Dawn at 2.30pm, jazz trio The Bicycle Thieves at 3.15pm and the Whisky Priests from 4pm to 5pm.

The event will also feature children's entertainment and appearances at 2.15pm and 3.15pm by radio presenter Paul Gough.