THOUSANDS of music fans have been clamouring to get tickets for next summer's Elton John concert in the region.

The tickets went on sale at 9am yesterday, and phone lines and Internet sites were busy throughout the day as fans booked their places at Durham County Cricket Club's Riverside stadium, on Saturday, June 10.

The Chester-le-Street ground is one of three cricket grounds - the others are Canterbury and Worcester - Sir Elton and his band will be playing during the tour.

Ben Martin, a spokesman for promoter Marshall Arts, said they were delighted at the first day's trade.

He said: "It's been very good. People obviously can't wait to see Elton John.

"There are still tickets available at all prices, but they are moving fast.

"I don't think this is one to wait for the New Year before deciding to buy because we are expecting the show to sell out and we are talking 18,500 tickets. It is just a question of how long it takes."

A spokeswoman for the cricket club said: "Inquiries about hospitality have been through the roof, and I am expecting that we will sell out hospitality.

"We have also had loads of people ringing up asking for the box office number. I think there has been quite a lot of interest."

Prices range from £40 to £100 for a premium ticket - plus booking fee and postage.

They are available from See Tickets, on 0870 161 2123 (www.seetickets.com), Ticketmaster, on 0871 230 2609 (www.ticketmaster.-co.uk), and Ticketline, on 0191-263 5000.

The club is not selling tickets but is organising hospitality packages. The number to call is 0191-387 2839.