MUSIC to suit all tastes resounded around a market place yesterday.

Visitors to Durham city centre were greeted by wall-to-wall sounds, from jiving jazz to cool classical sounds, with a touch of folk, rock, soul and blues for good measure.

Continuous free music was performed for more than four hours from a stage erected in front of the Town Hall, in Durham Market Place.

It was all part of a bid to promote live music, and to provide entertainment to help attract visitors and shoppers to the city centre on a Sunday, when the Cobbles market has become a regular feature.

Durham Musicians Union coordinated the musical programme, backed by Durham City Forum, the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre, Durham Markets Company, and the city council.

Keith Smith, branch secretary of the musicians' union, said: "Live Music Day has now become one of the city's traditional events.

"It's an opportunity for us to showcase new talent as well as featuring established local artists."

City centre manager Chris Rawlinson said: "We are pleased to support Live Music Day. It's always a good family day out and complements the regular Cobbles Sunday market.

"It's nice to see visitors browsing, while they listen, and there is entertainment to keep the children amused as well."

Among the artists were The Mark Toomey Jazz Quartet, funk rock from Souler Rico, The Cameo String Quartet, folk singer Mark Fawcett and Mr Kite.