THEY'RE an American boy band on the verge of hitting the big time with the chance of playing prestigious venues across the world.

But now they're about to perform at one County Durham venue which is not quite on the international pop circuit - the Allensford Festival, near Consett.

B-Factor are playing the gig next week, as part of a free charity tour in aid of the Scottish and Ireland based charity The Children of Hope Trust, which aids the child victims of the Chernobyl disaster.

In the meantime, the boys from Boston are enjoying themselves by seeing the sights of Consett.

"We're having a great time," said band member Andy Lawson, 20.

"We're not exactly sure where we are, except that we're in northern England.

"We've really enjoyed fish and chips, and I'd wouldn't mind becoming a lord here in the future at some point!" B-Factor, made up of Nic Womble, 18, and Andy and Adam Brewster, 22, are produced by the same stable who work with Britney Spear and N' Sync.

Their single entitled Love Train will go on general release in the coming weeks.

They will play at the three-day Allensford Festival next Saturday, and will appear alongside chart band Northern Line at an under-18s event, in Newcastle, at Ikon and Diva on August 31.