OPERA singer Robert Crowe has sold out venues as famous as Saddlers Wells and the Royal Festival Hall.

But back home in his native North-East, a one-off concert at Spennymoor Town Hall in County Durham has sold only a single ticket.

The star is so worried he came back to the region yesterday to plaster posters all across the town in order to attract one or two more music lovers to the 300-seater venue.

The 56-year-old will perform with two other acclaimed opera singers as the R3 Tenors at Spennymoor next Friday.

They had originally been booked to play at Durham City's Gala Theatre but a mix-up led to the event being cancelled.

Eager to return to the North-East, Mr Crowe, who sings principal parts in the Scottish Opera, booked up at Spennymoor.

Mr Crowe, a boilermaker originally from Hartlepool, said: "We started out singing to audiences of about 50.

"But since then, we've sold out across Scotland and the North and topped the bill at The Citizens in Glasgow, the Carnegie Hall in Dunfermline and Aberdeen's His Majesty's .

"It was a bit of a surprise to call Spennymoor and find we've sold just one ticket.

"I've come down and I'm trying to put out 1,000 posters and flyers."

Tickets cost £8, £6 concessions and are available from the town hall on (01388) 815276 and they will be available on the night.

Published: 30/04/2004