FANS of blues and soul music are being encouraged to attend a performance by a high-profile band next month.

Mickleton R'n'B Club, in Teesdale, has scored a coup by booking American group the Marcus Malone Band.

The group will travel straight from a recording session at the BBC's studio in Birmingham, which will be broadcast on Radio 2 in December, to Mickleton, where they will perform on November 2.

Organisers of events at the club, which holds its events in Mickleton Village Hall, could not believe their luck when promoters visited the club in April and June this year after hearing about its growing popularity.

Soon after their visit, the club had booked the Marcus Malone Band and Texas group Kevin Montgomery and the Roadtrippers, which will visit the village in January. The Marcus Malone Band are from Detroit, but have recently been staying in London, and have received good reviews in the music Press.

John Carrington, of the Mickleton R 'n' B Club, said: "The club is going from strength-to-strength and is becoming one of the best venues in the North-East. Bands like this wouldn't normally think of playing at village halls."

Tickets can be obtained from Mr Carrington on (01833) 640077, Mickleton Service Station or Mickleton Post Office. Tickets cost £7 and doors open at 8pm.