A GROUP of ukulele enthusiasts, some of whom only picked up the instrument for the first time a couple of months ago, held their first public performance this weekend.

The 17 players, who practice each week as part of an Age UK group, drew a small crowd as they performed at Darlington Crown Street Library on Saturday.

The group was started back in October with only two members, but quickly expanded up to 24, with new members joining all the time.

Wearing Hawaiian-style flower garlands, the group entertained their audience with a number of classics and encouraged everyone to join in and sing along.

David Regan, from Age UK Darlington, said he was very proud of the group's progress in such a short space of time.

"The longest pair have been practising since October, but some only joined since December," he said.

"It's great to see them perform in public. It's a great hobby and very easy to pick up. A starter instrument is only about £22 so it's a relatively inexpensive hobby to pick up too."

The ukulele group meets every Thursday between 2pm and 3.30pm, at £3 per session, at Bradbury House, in Beaumont Street West, Darlington.

The group has a number of spare instruments for beginners to learn on.

Marion Ogle, from Darlington libraries, said she was pleased to welcome the ukulele group to perform and was keen to hear from other small groups who might like to perform in public.

Anyone who would like to use the library for a performance can call 01325-462034 and ask for Mrs Ogle.