FORGET Las Vegas, Broadway and the West End -a North-East town is rivalling them all to become an entertainment hotspot.

The town hall at Spennymoor, in County Durham, has won the hearts of some of the biggest names in showbusiness, who are used to appearing on stage and screen around the world.

Following the success of Danny La Rue's sellout show at the hall in April, three more of the nation's favourite performers have announced dates at the venue.

Cannon and Ball, Paul Daniels and Jess Conrad have all confirmed they will perform at Spennymoor Town Hall this autumn.

With a capacity of only 200 for a dinner show, and amateur operatic and drama groups among its usual headliners, the hall is a far cry from the venues the three acts performed at in their heydays.

Britain's leading magician, Paul Daniels, has headlined in Las Vegas and performed on television more than any other magician in history.

Comic double act Cannon and Ball broke television audience and box office records with shows throughout the Eighties and Nineties.

In the Fifties and Sixties, Jess Conrad became a household name as a singer and television actor, most famously as the original Joseph in Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

The events have been organised by Showcase Entertainment Productions, run by Geoffrey Hindmarch, of Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

Mr Hindmarch said: "Most live entertainers know that a North-East audience is usually warm, appreciative and good fun.

"The people are half the attraction, and the town hall is a wonderful venue. It is a lovely building and more intimate than big theatres.

"It certainly wasn't difficult to convince these acts to come to County Durham, and I hope more big names will follow."

The town hopes the shows will attract people from outside the area to boost its reputation and economy.

Town clerk Pauline Wilson said: "We have a lovely building here, and the people of the town already know how lucky we are. Now, more and more people are realising it."

Tickets for Jess Conrad, on Saturday, September 22; Cannon and Ball, on Thursday, October 11; and Paul Daniels, on Thursday, November 8, are available on 01325-316224.

Each show includes dinner and supporting acts.