FANS were praised yesterday after Coldplay’s North-East concert passed without serious disruption despite a 24- hour rail strike.

A record crowd of 55,000 braved driving rain and a stoppage on the Tyne and Wear Metro to see the top-selling band at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on Thursday night.

Special buses were laid on to ferry fans to Newcastle afterwards and some regular bus services were increased.

Similar contingency plans are being made for Bruce Springsteen’s concert at the same venue on Thursday, June 21, amid calls for the rail dispute to be settled.

Ken Scott, chairman of Sunderland’s safety advisory group, said: “We experienced the biggest show seen at the Stadium of Light and I’m delighted to say it went exceptionally well.

“The weather didn’t dampen spirits and the crowd generated a great atmosphere.

“Despite some initial concerns about the potential difficulties for fans arriving and departing the stadium, we did not experience any issues and all queues cleared within an hour of the band leaving the stage – which is quicker than previous concerts.”

Chief Inspector Sean McKenna, of Northumbria Police, said: “Concert-goers were extremely well-behaved and had clearly heeded the advice issued prior to the show.

“They showed patience and understanding and worked with stewards and police to ensure everyone got away as quickly and safely as possible.

“The bus service provided by Nexus assisted concertgoers and the traffic management system also worked very well.

“Naturally, we experienced some congestion, but that is to be expected given the crowd numbers. All in all, it was a very successful event and a great evening.”

Sunderland AFC’s commercial director, Gary Hutchinson, said the concert was “one of the best” the stadium had hosted.

Metro owner Nexus said it was working on similar contingency plans for a second 24- hour strike on Thursday, June 21, when Bruce Springsteen plays the stadium.

A spokesman said the aftergig bus fleet had proved successful.

He urged Metro operator DB Regio Tyne and Wear and the RMT, Aslef and Unite unions to resume talks to resolve the dispute.

The company’s customer services director, Sharon Kelly, said: “We will do everything we can to avert further industrial action taking place on June 21.”

The unions, who have rejected a below-inflation pay offer of 2.1 per cent, say they are willing to talk but want the firm to make a “serious offer” to settle the dispute.

Metro cleaners start a 48- hour strike tomorrow over pay, but trains will still run.