THOUSANDS of fans came together to enjoy outdoor music extravaganzas yesterday. Musicians performed pop, rock and stomping soul on ten stages across Middlesbrough town centre during a ten-hour programme.

Legendary soul singer Geno Washington appeared on the same bill as modern icons Wheatus - of Teenage Dirtbag fame - at the Middlesbrough BBC Music Live 2002 event.

Graham Ramsay, who booked the groups, reckoned the Tees line-up included names to look out for in the future.

And he should know - the man who booked Oasis and Travis before they became famous is well known for his talent spotting ability.

Judith Croft, of Middlesbrough Council, said: "He has this knack to search out names and we would hope that in a couple of months time people will turn round and say I saw someone first at the Middlesborough Live.''

Graham said: "We put some good established acts on and introduce new people. There are plenty of fabulous bands around. The fact they all have not appeared on Top of the Pops does not mean they're not fantastic.

"There could be a couple of super star acts in the future among them," he said.

Organisers say the event - now in its third year - is one of the biggest and best free music festivals in the UK.

Upwards of 30,000 music fans were expected to have visited the festival by the time the last acts left the stage last night.

As part of the BBC's other Golden Jubilee celebrations, the Cleveland shopping Centre played host to five hours of live broadcasting by BBC Radio Cleveland, while rivals TFM sponsored the main open air stage on which Wheatus performed yesterday.

"It's a great feeling when it comes off; when you really believe in what we are doing," said Mr Ramsay. "It's great to have the council so heavily involved and it's great to be involved.

"We try to keep a focus and try to cater for every taste."

Ms Croft said: "What it is all about is increasing Middlesbrough's reputation as a forward-thinking place. There is so much going on.

"It is also bringing people into the town who perhaps may not have been here before. There is an economic benefit as the people it brings into town are spending money."

Further north, most of Tyneside seemed to be rocking to the sound of music - from pop to classical - in two major free festivals.

Beat Routes, a massive street festival based on a jubilee street party - took place on both banks of the Tyne, in Baltic Square, on Gateshead Quays, and Wesley Square, on the other side of the Millennium Bridge.

Tens of thousands turned up to hear music including folk, blues, jazz and classical, with performers Black Umfolosi, Zubop, local favourites The Baghdaddies, and young performers including FolkESTRA North.

A highlight included a Shebang, which featured a number of one-man bands - including, Pete "The Fastest One Man Band In The World".

At any one time, there were six stages and many families brought picnics. The event started at noon when the rotating Millennium Bridge was drummed into place.

Beat Routes was also part of the BBC Music Live celebration.

The second major music festival of the weekend was the Orange Wow (Window on the World) Festival, at North Shields Fish Quay.

Crowds in the North Tyneside town yesterday were thought to number tens of thousands, and 500,000 are expected to have enjoyed the entertainment over the weekend.

Yesterday, the four-stage festival celebrated reggae, with the Jazz Jamaica All Stars providing the highlight. The three-day music extravaganza ended with a massive firework display.

Highlights in the previous days included an appearance by Bob Geldof.