A VISITING African choir brought back happy memories for Durham and England cricketer Paul Collingwood and his wife Vicky yesterday.

The all-rounder was bowled over to be asked to greet the African Children's Choir when they arrived for two concerts in the North-East this week.

It was only four months ago that the 26-member choir performed at the Collingwoods' wedding in South Africa, while Paul was with the England team on their winter tour.

It was an unexpected early reunion as the choir arrived at the Bethany Christian Centre, in Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, to prepare for two weekend concerts.

The England star said: "They helped to make our wedding day even more special and it's great to see the kids will be performing in the North-East.

"They're superb performers and I would encourage people to go along to see them while they are here to help them raise much-needed money for a very worthy cause."

The young singers, all aged between six and eight, are goodwill ambassadors for the African continent.

During the tour they are raising funds to improve the quality of education and health care in several African developing countries. The choir's first North-East date, at the conference and banqueting suite at Sunderland's Stadium of Light, on Friday, is a sell-out, but tickets are available for Sunday's concert, at the Bethany Christian Centre, in Hetton Road, Houghton-le-Spring, at 7pm.

They are available for £5 for adults and £3 for children, from the centre, on 0191-512 1234, or payment can be made at the door, on Sunday.