MADONNA, Ulrika Jonsson and Scottish comedian Frankie Boyle will all be entitled to free admission to the North-East’s biggest birthday party of the year.

Durham County Cricket Club and the County Durham Community Foundation are holding the Big Birthday Blast on Sunday, August 16 at the Emirates Durham International Cricket Ground in Chester-le-Street.

Now they are offering free admission for anyone who celebrates their birthday on the same day.

The joint celebration marks 20 years since the first ball was bowled at the cricket ground and 20 years of support provided by the Foundation.

The day will see the Lashings cricket team – made up of a number of international cricket stars – take part in a T20 cricket match, with interval entertainment from Peppa Pig and SpongeBob SquarePants.

Money raised will be shared between the Foundation and a fund set up by the cricket club to develop a nursery training ground, which will benefit young people and women in particular.

Club chief executive David Harker said: “CDCF and DCCC have been making a big difference to many people’s lives for two decades, and the fact that we share a ‘birthday’ meant that it was a natural fit for us to work with them create an event that we know will be really special.”

Adult tickets costs £5 and children go free, but anyone celebrating their birthday can get in for free if they show their passport or driving licence.

Foundation chief executive Barbara Gubbins, said: “This year is a chance for us to celebrate all that CDCF has achieved since the foundation was formed, and the same is true for DCCC, which has been making a positive difference to people’s lives – and indeed the regional economy – for two decades.”

Tickets are available at www.durhamccc.co.uk.