THE rich voice of an acclaimed Consett-born opera singer can be heard on four new CDs.

Graeme Danby's new album, Take Me up the Tyne, is a collection of songs written by local songwriter Eric Boswell.

The bass singer can also be heard alongside soprano Patricia Rozario, tenor John Hudson, accompanied by no less than the Halle Orchestra, the Northern Sinfonia Chorus and the Durham Singers, on a work called The Saint Cuthbert Oratorio.

Written by Durham composer Will Todd, with lyrics by Wearsider Ben Dunwell, the work celebrates the life of the seventh century monk who lived and died on Lindisfarne.

Two other CDs featuring Graeme Danby are compilation albums, From Tees to Tyne and From Tyne to Tweed.

All four productions are part of the Northumbria Anthology project, a large collection of recordings celebrating the musical heritage of the North-East.

A 20-CD boxed set containing around 300 songs will shortly be published, with approximately 500 to be distributed free of charge to libraries throughout the region.

Mr Danby, the principal bass with English National Opera, often returns to his native North-East to perform and to visit his family.

A keen singer of Eric Boswell songs for many years, he believes the Take Me up the Tyne album plays on regional self-deprecation.

He said: "People from this neck of the woods have a great sense of humour and Eric's songs reflect that perfectly.

"We're always ready for a laugh and we're not afraid to take the mickey out of ourselves."

He is joined on the album by his wife, Valerie Reed, plus Sarah Murphy, Paul Murphy, members of Northern Sinfonia, the Sinfonia Chorus and Chester-le-Street Riverside Band.

For further information contact The Northumbria Anthology, at Plummer Tower, Croft Street, Newcastle, telephone (0191) 222 0440.