THIS weekend's Northern Proms concert looks set to draw an audience of at least 2,000.

The event will be held from 6pm on Saturday, at Durham County Cricket Club's Riverside ground in Chester-le-Street.

The line-up features opera stars Graeme Danby, Valerie Reid and Bethany Halliday, the Lemington Male Voice Choir, the Redemption Jazz Quintet and the Chester-le-Street Riverside Band. The night will end with a fireworks display.

A club spokesman said: "We are on target to get an audience of 2,000. We are at about 1,600 at the moment, including hospitality.

"With the way sales are building up I think we will hit the 2,000 mark. It's a new event. Hopefully it will run next year.''

The club says 100 balcony seats, offering the best views, are now on sale. Ticket holders can buy an upgrade for a £5 fee.

Concert-goers planning to get on the grassed area in front of the stage are advised to arrive early.

Tickets can be bought online at www.northernproms.co.uk or by calling (0191) 387 5151. They cost £20 for adults (£25 on the day), £10 (£15) for under-16s and £50 (£65) for a family of two adults and three children.