EMERGING rock musician Pete Shoulder and his band top the bill at the tenth annual district of Easington Music Festival, which began last night.

The Chester-le-Street guitarist and singer/songwriter's Seventies-style blues-rock is at the Rock Bar, in Easington Colliery, today.

Doors open at the Station Road venue from 7pm, with the band expected on stage by 9pm. Tickets, costing £3.50, are available at the door, or beforehand, from the Rock Bar, on 0191-527 0978.

Blues-rock band Slack Alice are tomorrow's headline act at the Rock Bar, at 9pm.

The festival features 40 performances over four weeks. Details of the programme are available from Easington cultural development unit, on 0191-527 0501, ext 2238/2281.

Tickets are available from the main council offices, leisure centres at Seaham and Peterlee, or from Peterlee Tourist Information Office.