THE Riverside will be packed to the rafters when the venue hosts its first England clash - the NatWest Series one-dayer against the West Indies.

All 15,000 tickets have been snapped up and tickets are also selling well for tomorrow's contest when the West Indies face competition leaders Zimbabwe.

The public's response is an enormous boost to the Riverside's bid to become a full Test venue.

And Sue Newton, Durham's marketing director, believes it is only a matter of time before Durham makes the step up to the prestigious five-dayers.

She said: "We have Australia and Pakistan on June 16 next year and these two games this summer look like being enormous successes.

"In the near future we can fully expect to be a full Test venue.

"All we need now is the weather to make this the perfect weekend we dreamt of when we were awarded these matches.

"The eyes of the cricket world are on us and achieving a sell-out is a marvellous boost for the club and the region."

In addition to the cricket, Durham are laying on a host of complementary attractions, including Caribbean dancers and a steel band, the Sky TV Interactive Roadshow, the NatWest Village including cricket activities for children, a giant replay screen and Durham's hot tub where supporters can relax if the cricket gets too much for them.

Channel 4 will be broadcasting their cricket programme live from the Riverside between 9.30 and 10.30 this morning.

l TICKETS still available for the West Indies v Zimbabwe clash cost £20 for adults and £10 for children.