YOUNG members of a cathedral choir will take centre stage alongside one of Britain's most famous choristers at an open-air concert in the North-East later this month.

The boys of Durham Cathedral Choir will join Aled Jones, to perform Music for a Midsummer's Night, at Stockton's Tees Barrage, on Saturday, June 21.

Backed by the British Waterways Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of John Gladstone Smith, the Durham choristers will perform from their repertoire of sacred songs and light classics.

The highlight, however, is expected to be a performance of a famous song from the animated film The Snowman, a version of which took Aled Jones to the top of the British pop charts 20 years ago.

Now 32, Jones will perform Walking in the Air with 12-year-old Durham choirboy Ben Goulter.

Choirmaster James Lancelot said he hoped the concert would encourage more boys to come forward for future auditions to join the choir.

"Choristers have a lot of fun and learn an awful lot," he said.

"They work very hard, especially given their age, but in return they are given great opportunities and grow to become disciplined young men and competent performers."

Tickets for Music for a Midsummer's Night are priced at £15 and £12 for concessions and are available from Stockton Tourist Information Centre, or from the Aria box office, on (01642) 777778.