THE Sugababes, arguably British popular music's hottest girl band, turned up the volume - and the temperature on a chilly night in the North-East - as the Children in Need party got off to a rocking start.

Last night's free concert at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium attracted about 10,000 people, swelling the coffers of the BBC charity appeal.

They came for the best of British pop - acts like Sugababes, Liberty X and Busted - as well as to support some of the finest bands the North-East has to offer.

Singing alongside the chart-toppers were two North-East bands, Durham-based Juke Box Jive and 5StepstoAbba, and Byker Grove actress Holly Wilkinson, who performed her debut single End of the Line.

BBC Sport's Roger Black and Children's BBC host Angelica Bell presented the concert - one of three major events across England - and BBC Radio Cleveland's award-winning presenter Matthew Davies was master of ceremonies.

BBC spokesman Mark Cotton was near the stage for most of the night.

He said: "This is an incredible turnout. People really got into the spirit of it and, thankfully, the rain held out.

"Everyone was so enthusiastic. There were even some hardy teenagers who ran to the front at 5pm so they could be close to the stage to get the best view.

"That's the kind of night it has been - everyone's really up for it."

Nick Vaughan-Barratt, executive editor of BBC events said: "These concerts are a relatively new feature of BBC Children in Need and really take the appeal out to the whole country,

"As always, all of the artists give their time for free and we are grateful.

"Last year, on a cold November night, 60,000 people had the time of their lives at the concerts and helped Children in Need get to it's highest total of money raised ever - £25m."

"This year, we are hoping even more people have enjoyed themselves and, dare we say, raised even more money."

The show coincided with the televised entertainment extravaganza, hosted by Terry Wogan and Gaby Roslin, which brought together the cream of British talent to raise money for underprivileged children.