USUALLY a shrine to East Cleveland's mining history, the Tom Leonard Mining Museum will be transformed into a concert hall this weekend.

The museum is playing host to a group of musicians who are part of the North Yorkshire Moors Chamber Orchestra.

As part of its Summer Serenade programme, the orchestra is performing a series of 20 concerts over six days, most of which are being held in rural locations.

The orchestra, which was formed in 1994, will be at the Tom Leonard Mining Museum in Skinningrove on Sunday.

The orchestra provides opportunities for talented young musicians every holiday time. The players are from colleges, universities and sixth form centres all over the UK and are renowned for their imaginative planning of interesting and challenging repertoire.

Kate Brennan, marketing officer for the Tom Leonard museum, said it was the first time it had hosted such an event.

She said: "We have a great courtyard area at the front of the museum. I imagine it will be a relaxed afternoon, with visitors encouraged to come and go as they please to the concert, and hear these very talented young musicians playing for fun.