THERE will be a musical greeting for Middlesbrough's newest citizens on Monday.

Abingdon School Steel Band will perform as 25 people from 13 countries take part in the town's latest citizenship ceremony.

Middlesbrough Councillor Bob Kerr and superintendent registrar Robert Wills will lead the ceremony, in which candidates pledge to respect Britain's freedoms and uphold the country's democratic values.

Coun Kerr said: "I hope that the ceremony will add something to the significance of acquiring British citizenship, and underline the responsibilities and rights we all have and exercise as citizens.

"We want to make the occasion one our new friends will never forget."

Everyone taking part in the event in the council chamber at the Town Hall will receive a certificate of naturalisation and a commemorative gift.