MUSIC of the highest calibre came to a North-East village at the weekend.

The second Musical Picnic In The Park, at Hurworth, near Darlington, was another huge success, with about 1,000 flag-waving people enjoying a night of entertainment and patriotism.

Ttenor Ian Storey, originally from Chilton, in County Durham, headlined the show and gave the crowd something to remember by performing the premiere of a newly-arranged, forgotten folk song, called The Hurworth Fox Chase.

Ian, a former pupil of Ferryhill Grammar School, said: "It makes me very proud to come back home to perform in the North-East."

The crowd were also thrilled to see the return of another international star, soprano Suzannah Clarke, who hails from Middlesbrough.

Suzannah again joined up with harpist Kate Wilson as The Angels of the North for a mixture of stunning music and fun.

H'Angus the Monkey, Hartlepool United's famous mascot, even turned up to dance with Suzannah towards the finale of the show.

The Symphony of the North, led by Peter Maslin and conducted by Hurworth Comprehensive School teacher Arthur Berwick, were also loudly applauded.

The Newton Aycliffe Royal British Legion Pipes and Drums Band got the show off to a rousing start.

One member of the pipes and drums band was Hurworth Comprehensive School pupil Cameron Dulstan, 12, of Middleton St George, who ended the night as a lone piper.

That followed a spectacular fireworks display at the end of Jerusalem.

The event, jointly organised by Hurworth Community Association and the Durham Federation of Women's Institutes, was compered by Peter Barron, editor of The Northern Echo, and Jim Knight, of BBC Look North.

Hurworth Community Association chairman John Lawrie said: "We are putting Hurworth on the map and establishing this as an event which people really look forward to. It's now a question of how we move on for next year."