FANS from across the country travelled to Newcastle at the weekend for the final concert by North-East legends Lindisfarne.

The band wrapped up their 34-year career on Saturday with a farewell show at the Newcastle Opera House to 1,100 people who travelled from as far as the US to see the band one last time.

Only guitarist Rod Clements and drummer Ray Laidlaw remained from the original line-up that also included Alan Hull, Ray Jackson and Si Cowe.

But the last version of the band, featuring Billy Mitchell, Dave Hull-Denholm and Ian Thomson and formed after the death of Alan Hull, proved a hit with the fans.

They played new songs as well as classics including Meet Me On The Corner, Lady Eleanor and Winter Song.

The farewells were brief and to the point, the band thanking the fans for their "love and support'' and past band members.

After a longer-than-normal show, the band were kept busy signing autographs.

Fan Sharon Liddell, of Stanley, County Durham, said: "They are a great band and the last two albums are really good.

"It is sad that they have split but it wasn't a sad night, just a hell of a gig, the best way to bow out.''

Meanwhile, fans are being urged to back a campaign for Lindisfarne to be made freemen of Newcastle.