BOYBAND One Direction have announced two dates in the North-east next year.

The group are to perform two shows at the 11,000-capacity Metro Radio Arena, in Newcastle on Sunday, October 25 and Monday, October 26.

Last year, around 52,000 spectators braved the rain at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland as the band kicked off their UK tour on Wearside.

The band, made up of Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson, today announced details of their On The Road Again tour of the UK and Ireland.

Next year’s tour, which begins with a one-off June date in Cardiff, will see the band perform hits from their new album Four alongside hits such as What Makes You Beautiful.

Tickets for the Newcastle shows, priced from £39.50, go on sale on Saturday (Dec 6) at 9am.

Fans can get tickets online at www.metroradioarena.co.uk or www.eventim.co.uk or by phone on 0844 493 6666.

Tickets will not be available in person from the arena box office.