THOUSANDS of fans turned out to see the TFM Live concert at the 17th Stockton International Riverside Festival.

A weekend of music kick-started the festival, which climaxed last night with performances by Pop Idol favourite Will Young and Hell's Kitchen winner Jennifer Ellison.

The show also featured McFly, Shaznay Lewis, Bellefire, Blazin' Squad, Girls Aloud, Mark Owen, Lemar, Natasha Bedingfield, and VS. Will Young performed a 20-minute set and played hits including Evergreen, Light My Fire and Friday's Child.

Former Brookside actress Jennifer Ellison said: "The line-up is amazing and it's fantastic to be part of such a brilliant event."

Her first single, Baby I Don't Care, has now been followed by Bye Bye Boy, which is released today.

Cath Ellington, managing director of 96.6 TFM said: "Jennifer is a late, but a very welcome addition to the artists appearing.

"This is certainly one of the strongest line-ups we have ever put together for Stockton TFM Live.

"We hope people had a great time, enjoyed the music and the atmosphere and left at the end of the day with some happy memories."

Music from the 1970s was provided on Friday night by bands including Hot Chocolate, Gwen Dickey - the voice of Rose Royce - and the Atlantic Soul Messengers.

On Saturday a host of bands took to the stage for a free afternoon and evening of Kerrang Live music in the town.

Published: 26/07/2004