MUSIC lovers will be taking a place in history when they attend and operatic concert.

There has been such demand for tickets to hear Teesside diva Suzannah Clark sing in the 17th Century chapel at the Sir William Turner Almshouses at Kirkleatham, Redcar, that additional seating in the building's first-floor gallery is having to be opened up.

Originally used by schoolchildren in the 18th and 19th centuries, these seats still bear the engraved initials of youngsters who lived and were educated at the almshouses.

Miss Clarke is pleased that all 100 seats in the chapel are being sold for the concert, on September 6.

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to launch the autumn concert series," she said.

"The chapel at Kirkleatham has such a wonderfully intimate atmosphere."

The concerts first began in 1999 and have been attended by nearly 4,000 music lovers.

Tickets for the additional seats on the gallery are available at £10 from The Business Shop, formerly Sotherans, in Redcar. For more details, contact (01642) 490401.