A RUSSIAN pianist will be playing to a near sellout crowd at the Krikleatham Almshouses at Redcar on Wednesday.

Evgeny Samoilov will play at the 100-seater chapel at the 17th Century building knowing that three quarters of the tickets had been sold before the event was advertised.

Last year, Russian pianist Magarita Schevchenko played at the venue.

Peter Sotheran, chairman of the trustees, believes local people like listening to the young Russian stars.

Evgeny's performance will include music by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Rachmaninov and Scriabin. Tickets, priced £10, are available from Southeron's, the Redcar stationers, on (01642) 490401.