WHEN Radio One DJ Sara Cox offered the girls a chance to kiss co-host Jamie Theakston for 10p a go, she didn't really mean it.

But sure enough, at the back of the stage area at one of Teesside's biggest music events, there was a handful of teenage girls with their 10 pence pieces at the ready.

Out of a crowd of around 25,000 at Sunday's One Big Sunday music show, it was inevitable that some people would take the offer seriously.

Stewart Park in Marton, Middlesbrough, drew crowds almost big enough to fill the Riverside Stadium, despite the fact that it barely stopped raining all day.

Families and groups of teens cowered under a sea of umbrellas in front of the stage, eagerly awaiting their favourite acts at the event, organised by Radio One.

But hosts Mr Theakston and Miss Cox managed to keep the crowd upbeat through the weather, even claiming to spot elusive shafts of sunshine through the thick sheet of rain.

The line-up included Samantha Mumba, Kosheen, DJ Luck and MC Neat and the Super Furry Animals.

Headlining the event was ex-All Saints star Melanie Blatt, who performed her new single with Artful Dodger, 24/7, due for release in September.

The concert was a big one for her - the biggest event she has performed live since All Saints split.

But Mel failed to draw as many crowds as last year's event in Middlesbrough, when 60,000 turned up to see ex-Spice Girl Victoria Beckham perform her solo debut single.

The crowd still cheered and blew their whistles during her ten minute act.

A Radio One spokesman praised the staying power of the audience. He said: "Everyone seems to be having a great time, despite the weather. The crowd has been absolutely brilliant today."

Some North-East music fans had criticised the quality of the line-up on Radio One's website, saying the acts at Middlesbrough's One Big Sunday did not match up to other One Big Sunday events.

But the spokesman said: "It is a really big event for Middlesbrough to host Mel Blatt's first proper solo performance.

"All the Big Sundays are about bringing big acts to areas, but also brand new music. We want to bring real variety as well - these events are sort of mini music festivals."