TALENTED young dancers and musicians stepped forward to brighten the gloom for showgoers in a Consett park.

An array of young performers, many making their live stage debuts, entertained the crowds in a marquee mounted in Blackhill Park.

There was a real mix, with something for all music tastes, from girl and boy bands, to folk and even a 'grunge' group.

It was the culmination of months of organising by the BBT, Bridgehill and Blackhill Teens group, for what was originally planned to be part of the BBC's Music Live event in May.

Isobel English, who chairs the BBT's adult committee, said the show went better than she had hoped. She said: "The weather wasn't great, but the tent was packed right through the day. There were about 30 different acts and they all went down well.

"The talent was unbelievable, they really shone, particularly as many of them had never performed in public before." The celebration of Derwentside's youth was staged with the help of a £4,525 grant from the National Lottery Awards for All pool, plus £400 support from the district council and £500 raised from discos run by the BBT.

Isobel said the event could not have happened without the help of Stanley-based charity Special Needs Unity Group (SNUG), and Derwentside council recreation officer, Martin Weston. She hopes it can be repeated annually