A BAND billed as the next Coldplay performed at a north-East music venue last night, to thank a radio station for its support.

Ben's Brother were at The Forum, in Darlington, ahead of their appearance at next week's V Festival. North-East radio station Century FM, which organised the gig, gave away all 160 tickets to listeners in an on-air competition.

Media interest in the London-based band has been growing since they performed at a festival in Hyde Park.

Crowds queued to get into the tent where the band were performing, prompting Radio Two to put their single, Let Me Out, which is released today, on the station's playlist.

The band, who have only been together for eight months, have also appeared on BBC Breakfast news and recently performed with the Jools Holland Orchestra.

The band's lead singer, Jamie Hartman, said: "It has been a really positive experience performing in the North-East. We really like the people up here."

David Cox, of The Forum, said: "It's nice for something like this to come to Darlington."