FEMALE pop quintet Girls Aloud provided the eye-catching entertainment at a star-studded North-East charity bash.

Saturday's performance at the Rainbow Trust's 20th anniversary ball, at the Newcastle/Gateshead Hilton Hotel, gave Tyneside-born group member Cheryl Tweedy the chance for a fleeting return home.

The 22-year-old singer, from Heaton, Newcastle, made a brief visit to see her family, during which she spoke of her excitement over her summer wedding to Arsenal and England footballer Ashley Cole.

But the re-union was cut-short due to recording commitments for the band.

Other guests supporting the ball included ex-Newcastle and England manager Sir Bobby Robson, Tyneside acting duo Tim Healy and Denise Welch, Byker Grove star Daymon Brittan and Celebrity Love Island contestant Paul Danan.

Members of the Newcastle Falcons rugby squad also attened the event.

BBC local news presenter Wendy Gibson hosted the ball, which featured a celebrity clothes auction.

The aim of the ball was to raise upwards of £60,000 for the Rainbow Trust, which provides support for families with children suffering a life-threatening or terminal illness.

About 500 such families across the North are helped by the charity each year.

l Teeside heart throbs Journey South will make a whistle stop trip home today as they make a whirlwind UK tour to promote their debut album.

Their self-titled disc - Journey South- is on sale in the shops from today.

X Factor finalists, brothers Andy and Carl Pemberton begin their travels in Edinburgh at breakfast time today, dropping in at Birmingham this evening and London on Wednesday.

But the lads will call at Asda, South Bank, for their "elevenses" today, to sign autographs and say thank you to fans.

Carl and Andy, of Coulby Newham, will travel across the UK by private jet, a far cry from their early days in the business when they were living in a caravan in London, looking for their big break.