POP Idol finalist Aaron Bayley will be performing at a festival in the region.

The 27-year-old, from Newcastle, will take to the stage at this year's Orange Darlington Festival.

Since ITV's Pop Idol series ended, he has been busy recording and performing at the Orange WOW festival in Tyneside and at Party in the Park events in Oxford, Norwich, Portsmouth and Swansea.

Aaron will sing his new record, which is due for release later this summer, along with a mixture of classic hits and some new material.

He said: "I'm chuffed to bits to be asked to perform at the Orange Darlington Festival. It's great to be back, appearing among my friends in the North-East."

Cabinet member for leisure Dorothy Long said: "His appearance at the event helps to demonstrate just how much the Orange festival has gone from strength to strength over the years."

Other highlights at the event, which is held over the August Bank Holiday weekend, include Paul "Goffy" Gough from Century FM who will open the festival, a tribute band to Madonna, singer Scott Adams and tributes to Westlife and Robbie Williams.

There will also be free live entertainment in Darlington market place.