DURHAM County Cricket Club believes next summer's concert by Sir Elton John will put its ground firmly on the map as a venue for top-class music.

The multi-million pound Riverside ground at Chester-le-Street has proved a first-class stadium for cricket, hosting a string of one-day international and Test matches, with the magnificent sight of the medieval Lumley Castle in the background.

The club is looking to expand the use of the stadium and in the past three years has staged its Northern Proms concerts - this August, the event was expanded into a music weekend that included a concert by young jazz sensation Jamie Cullum.

Now its ambition is to stage one concert a year featuring artists of Sir Elton's stature.

The club's commercial director Gordon Holland said: "It doesn't come much bigger than this and it is a huge coup for us.

"We have been in negotiations with the promoters since the Northern Proms and Jamie Cullum. We have proved ourselves and they have seen that we have the facilities.

"Having a major concert is a huge part of developing greater use of the stadium. We hope that if it is a success we can have a major concert on an annual basis. This really puts us on the map.''

The club is expecting interest from across the country, particularly from the North and Scotland.

With a capacity of between 20,000 and 25,000, the club is hoping for a sellout. The England v Australia international this year attracted 16,000 - the Northern Proms draw an average of 3,000.

Sir Elton, whose hits include Candle in the Wind, Rocket Man, Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me, and Your Song, will be performing with a band.

In 2000, he performed a solo concert, right, in the grounds of Raby Castle, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, that attracted 14,000 people.

The Riverside concert on Saturday, June 10, will also feature a support act that has yet to be finalised.

The leader of Chester-le-Street District Council, Linda Ebbatson, said the concert would give the area a big boost.

"It is wonderful news for not only Chester-le-Street, but also for the North-East to have such an established artist perform at the Riverside. It greatly enhances the image of Chester-le-Street as an exciting place for both visitors and residents.

"Now we can look forward to a fabulous summer of top notch international cricket and music performances.''

* Information is available from the websites www.eltonjohn.com www.durhamccc.co.uk and www.marshall-arts.co.uk