DURHAM is coming down with cricket fever, as the county prepares for its first major cup final.

Thousands of fans will descend on Lord's cricket ground, in London, on Saturday, for the biggest day in Durham's history - the Friends Provident Trophy final against Hampshire.

The 4,500 tickets made available to the club were snapped up within a week, and a further 2,000, released later, have also been sold.

Hampshire will be no pushover, with William Hill making them 8-13 favourites.

Their line-up boasts England's Kevin Pietersen and legendary Australian bowler Shane Warne.

But Durham fans will be hoping North-East stars such as Paul Collingwood and Steve Harmison, along with West Indian Shivnarine Chanderpaul, will lead the team, known as the Dynamos, to victory in the 50-overs contest.

Andrew Jarvis, Durham's marketing manager, said: "This is a massive day in the club's history. It announces that we have arrived.

"It's created a real buzz around the region. People who have never watched cricket before have contacted us, wanting tickets for this match."

The Dynamos players are not the only ones who will have to be on top of their game - the Tavistock Chester-le-Street Riverside Band has been chosen to entertain the Lord's crowd.

The Championship section brass band, which rehearses twice weekly at Durham's Riverside ground, will play to 20,000 spectators during the match interval.

Elsewhere, artist Karen Neale has produced a limited edition stamp and envelope for the match, showing fans entering the ground. Only 500 will be available, costing £10 - with a match programme and score card.

But there are plenty of ways for fans not attending the match to get involved.

Austin's Bar and Bistro, at the Riverside Ground, will be showing all the action live on a big screen.

The bar will open at 10.30am, with barbecue food available from 11.30am.

Weather permitting, there will also be a bouncy castle and face painting for children throughout the day.