THE miserable weather could not dampen the spirits of almost 2,000 music lovers determined to enjoy the Northern Proms at Durham County Cricket Club's ground.

Saturday night's event, at the club's Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street, featured North-East opera singer Graeme Danby, his wife Valerie Reid, and Bethany Halliday, all supported by National Championship finalists the Tavistock Riverside Chester-le- Street Band, and the Riverside Quintet, made up of members of the Northern Sinfonia.

The spirit that characterises the Proms at the Albert Hall was there as people brought picnics and wine and settled down to enjoy the music that included stirring Proms favourites such as Land of Hope and Glory and Rule Britannia.

And the evening ended with a spectacular firework display by national fireworks champions, Alan Hillary Events.

The club's commercial manager, Graham Hollins, said: "Fortunately the rain stopped about 6.30pm but you could not describe it as the most pleasant weather on earth.

"We had just under 2,000 people, which was a little bit down on last year, mainly because of the weather, but it was still a fantastic event.

"Given the conditions not just on Saturday but in the week leading up to, we were very happy with it.

"Some people opted to take picnics and wine and sat on the grass with rugs under them. Most people came prepared and were dressed for the weather. They almost seemed to revel in the challenge of beating the weather.''

Mr Hollins added: "The fireworks were described by a number of people there as being better than the fireworks at the Tall Ships, which is some compliment.''

The weekend also included a concert by the Brit Award-nominated jazz singer Jamie Cullum on Friday night.