CHESTER-LE-STREET rock prodigy Pete Shoulder is back in the region with two gigs in five days.

This Saturday Pete, 21, and his trio Winterville, formerly called The Others and then the Keytones, will support Thunder at Newcastle City Hall.

Then next Thursday, March 17, the band will be the headline act at The Cluny, Lime Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle.

The talented guitarist and singer-songwriter, who now lives in London, began gigging at the tender age of 13 and amazed audiences on the North-East pub music circuit with his renditions of blues rock classics and self-penned material.

Pete was the youngest performer to take the stage at the Stanley Blues Festival - he played at the event twice - and signed initially to Sony although the band is now with Island Records.

The band, named after a Mississippi town where the legendary blues singer Robert Johnson played, have been busy gigging and recording tracks for their debut album, which is expected out in the autumn. It will be preceded by two singles.

The band's manager Malcolm McKenzie said Pete, who comes from Waldridge Fell, was looking forward to playing on 'home territory' again.

"He played at the City Hall when the band supported Thin Lizzy recently and that was a dream come true for Pete because the first gig he ever saw was Paul Rodgers playing there and he was totally blown away. He is delighted to be back there within a month.

"It will be emotional for him. It will be like a homecoming."

Tickets for the City Hall - the band is due on at about 7.45pm - cost £18.50 and are available by calling (0191) 261 2606.

The Cluny gig costs £4 and tickets are available from the band's website wintervilleonline.com