A MEMORIAL concert is being held in honour of a respected community activist.

Friends and family of John Kearney have organised the evening at Blackhill Comrades Club, near Consett, to remember the contribution he made.

Local acts, including Chris Justice, Counterfeit Youth, The Ballbreakers, The Short Blues Line are performing from 7pm on May 20 , with compere Lloyd Slaven.

Keith Tait, a close friend of the family, said: “John would have been 70 this year but was sadly taken from us, and by us, I mean Consett, some 15 years ago now.

“He was a great facilitator and enabler in the community, mostly known by those who both listened to and participated in the creation of music in the local area and much further afield.”

Mr Kearney, a father and grandfather, who worked at Consett Steelworks, was the founder of Northern Recording, based in Delves Lane Old Miners’ Hall, and was instrumental in the creation Stanley Blues Festival and Allensford Roots Festival.

Mr Tait said: “He was visionary, reaching out to and including the community in the many projects he initiated and envisaged.”

The event is free and donations are being collected for the British Heart Foundation.