TWO North-East sopranos have come together in aid of one of the smallest and most unusual concert venues in Britain.

For years the 17th Century chapel at the Grade One listed Sir William Turner's Almshouses at Kirkleatham, Redcar, has played host to classical concerts.

Now the historic building needs rewiring at a cost of £9,500.

Sarah Sweeting, who is flying home from Australia, is joining forces with singer Suzannah Clarke for a concert which organisers hope will raise between £1,000 and £2,000 towards the electrician's bill.

Ms Sweeting, who went to school in Guisborough, has been in Australia for the past two years, appearing in concerts and opera seasons at the Sydney Opera House and in Melbourne and Adelaide.

For this special event, she has teamed up with Ms Clarke, Middlesbrough's appointed cultural ambassador.

"We have been so lucky in being able to get the region's top two sopranos together," said concert organiser Peter Sotheran. "This is going to be an evening to remember."

The two women have not sung together for several years and throughout August and September, e-mails have been flying back and forth between Australia and Teesside, between the two, to decide a joint programme.

Ms Clarke said: "It was the quickest way to pull the programme together."

The concert takes place at Gisborough Hall Hotel on Tuesday, October 25. Tickets are available, price £18.50, from (01287) 610179 during business hours.

Already, two-thirds of the tickets have been sold.