A CLASSICAL concert featuring a top London string quartet is well on the way to becoming a ticket sellout - with less than three weeks until the event.

The Allegri String Quartet is made up of international players, all soloists in their own right.

Since it was announced the musicians would be giving a recital on Teesside, demand for tickets has been high.

The quartet is performing at the Sir William Turner's Almshouses, at Kirkleatham, Redcar, in the complex's 17th Century chapel, on Tuesday, September 15.

"If the demand continues, we shall open the gallery of the chapel in order to squeeze in those who buy their tickets at the last minute," said concert organiser Peter Sotheran.

The concert is being funded by Arts North and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

"Without their support, it would not be possible to present such a prestigious group of international fame here in east Cleveland," Mr Sotheran said.

"This is a real scoop for Kirkleatham and the North-East."

Tickets, at £14, are available from Guisborough Bookshop, on (01287) 610179, with a credit card.