INFAMOUS rocker Pete Doherty and his band are playing in the North-East at Easter to mark a nightclub’s third birthday next month.

The troubled frontman, who is formerly of The Libertines, and the rest of Babyshambles - drummer Adam Ficek, bassist Drew McConnell and guitarist Mik Whitnall - will appear at Inside Out, in Darlington, on Good Friday.

The controversial singer, and ex-boyfriend of supermodel Kate Moss, last appeared in the North-East for a solo gig at Middlesbrough Town Hall in 2008.

It is the first time the band, who released their last album, Shotter’s Nation, in 2007, have played in Darlington.

Promoter Becky Stefani said they had been delighted to book the band.

“Tickets are selling really fast - we expect to sell out pretty soon,” she said.

“Away from all the tabloid hoo haa, there is a band with a following unlike any other.

“Each time a hundred flash bulbs go off, a thousand more are singing back every word like they're signed up to some sort of cult: such is the rabid ferocity of the Babyshambles massive.

“If in the past you thought this was all hype, come be our guest at what will no doubt be one of the gigs of the year.”

Doors at Inside Out in Beaumont Street, open 8pm, and tickets are £18 advance, or £20 on the door. Tickets are on sale now from ticketweb.co.uk; In Arcadia, in Skinnergate, Darlington; Sound It Out, in Yarm Lane, Stockton and Rocket Retro, in Grange Road, Middlesbrough.

For more information, visit myspace.com/amplified_insideout.