CHART-topping boy band A1 will finally appear at Durham's flagship theatre after an earlier concert was cancelled.

The teen idol group should have performed in a marquee near the Gala theatre as part of the events organised to mark its opening, in January.

But at the last minute, the concert was cancelled, after Gala failed to sell enough tickets to meet its costs.

A similar event featuring Westlife, whose concert inside the £14m theatre was to be beamed to the marquee, was cancelled for the same reason.

Now the theatre has announced that A1 will appear inside the theatre in two concerts on Saturday, April 6.

A theatre spokesman said: "Gala will be creating a flat floor venue for the concerts, allowing 700 people per performance to attend."

Hits the band will perform will include their latest single, Caught in the Middle.

Tickets for the concerts, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm, are £20 each. Ring the box office on 0191-332 4041. They are restricted to six per household.