A SOUL music legend is coming to the North-East as part of a celebration of the region’s style icons.

Singer Alexander O’Neal will be taking to the stage at the annual Sun FM Style Awards on September 26.

The 80s American singer will be performing some of his biggest hits at the ceremony, which is being held at Sunderland’s Best Western Roker Hotel.

US duo The Pierces, sisters Catherine and Allison Pierce, will also be performing at the event, which is being hosted by television presenter Terry Christian along with Sun FM’s Simon Grundy and Danielle Moore.

The awards reward nominees across a range of different categories, designed to celebrate Sunderland.

Julian Carter, managing director of Sun FM, said: “These awards are a real chance for us to show what a vibrant city Sunderland is and that there is plenty for us to celebrate.

“Having one of the biggest R&B artists from the 80s to be part of our event is a great coup for us and it should be a fantastic night.”

The awards ceremony will include a DJ set from Stacie Stewart and a fashion show to launch the evening

The event is sponsored by See It Do It Sunderland with individual categories being sponsored by Little Learners Day Care Nursery, Benfield, Olivers Dental Studio and Asiana Fusion Restaurant among others.

Nominations for the awards are now closed but voting will be open until September 14.

Tickets for the event are priced at £39 per person and will be available from August 29 at the Sun FM reception or by calling 0191-548-1034.

For more information, visit www.sun-fm.com/style-awards-2014.php