POP legend Elton John is to play an outdoor concert in the North-East next summer, The Northern Echo can exclusively reveal.

The singer-songwriter, who has had a string of hits stretching backing more than 30 years, will perform at the Riverside, Chester-le-Street, on Saturday, June 10, Durham County Cricket Club announced last night.

The concert, part of the artist's British tour, is the biggest held to date at the ground and is expected to attract a capacity crowd of 25,000 people from all over the country.

The club is delighted to secure such an internationally-renowned artist for what it hopes will be the first of many annual performances by top musicians and groups.

The club's chief executive, David Harker, said: "We are delighted that the quality of the Riverside venue has attracted an artist of Elton John's international reputation to the North-East.

"The event will undoubtedly be popular, and we are looking forward to welcoming a new audience to the stadium."

A spokesman for Elton John, who is touring America, said: "He has never played in that particular part of the region before, or at that venue, and he is really looking forward to the concert."

Tickets for the concert, of which The Northern Echo is media sponsor, are £60 and £40, and there will be a limited number of premium tickets. Tickets will be limited to six per customer.

They will go on sale on Monday at 9am and can be bought from See Tickets, on 0870 161 2123, Ticketmaster, on 0871 230 2609, or Ticketline, on 0191-263 5000.

People can also go on-line to buy tickets from the websites www.seetickets.com or www.ticketmaster.co.uk.

Disabled people are urged to book early, and details on hospitality packages are available by calling 0191-387 2839.