AN OPEN air spectacular where Abba fans can sing-a-long to their favourite songs will be staged in town.

Entertainment company Sing-A-Long-A has been signed up to perform Abba hits at the Darlington Festival.

It will be the first time in the region that the show has been performed outside.

The line up of the Darlington festival includes a number of international acts for the August Bank Holiday weekend. The fun starts on Saturday at 7.30pm when Century FM launch the event in the Market Place followed by Sing-A-long-A Abba.

A prize will be given to the best dressed member of the audience.

Sunday's theme is world music. Events will take place from 12.30pm in the Market Square with free children's music workshops. Visitors can take a turn on the decks, play the drums, make an instrument and jam with a band. There will also be plenty of street theatre.

On the Sunday evening Latin band Viramundo and South African group Batani Marimba will perform.

Bank Holiday Monday will see street performers during the day and at 7.30pm The Imposters will perform the Ultimate Sixties Show.

Spokesman Jeff Dawson said: "This year's festival is bigger and better than ever."