TICKETS have gone on sale for an open-air musical event in a village.

The Musical Picnic in the Park, at Hurworth Grange, in Hurworth, near Darlington, has world-renowned tenor Ian Storey heading the bill.

Now a series of sponsors have been confirmed, which will help the event be bigger and better than last year's inaugural concert.

Reg Vardy, Alpha Romeo, BT and DK Kitchens have all pledged their support to the event, which takes place on Saturday, July 6.

Tickets will cost £10 in advance, or £14 on the night, for adults. Children aged five to 15 will be charged £6 in advance, or £8 at the gate.

Ian Fletcher, manager of the community venue, said: "The expenses are just about covered by the sponsorship, which enables us to make it a bigger and better event this year."

The event has been organised by the Hurworth Community Association and Dur-ham Federation of Women's Institutes. It will be compered by Peter Barron, editor of The Northern Echo, and BBC TV reporter Jim Knight, who both live in the village.

Soprano Suzannah Clark, from Normanby, near Middlesbrough, will also be taking part, along with Mr Storey, of Chilton, County Durham.

Tickets will be available from Williams Music Shop, in Blackwellgate, Darlington, on (01325) 466224, Hurworth Grange, on (01325) 720840, Durham Federation of Women's Institutes, at 51/52 Crossgate, Durham, on 0191-384 2071, and from Darlington Tourist Information Centre.