REGGAE stars UB40 are to perform an outdoor concert in the region later this year.

The band, one of Britain's biggest acts of the past 25 years, are to play at Durham County Cricket Club's Riverside Ground, at Chester-le-Street, on Friday, July 28.

The concert is a major coup for the stadium, which is emerging as one of the region's leading live music venues following the announcement last year that superstar Elton John is to perform at the ground on June 10. The cricket club's commercial manager, Gordon Hollins, said last night: "It is fantastic news for Durham to be able to secure UB40.

"The Riverside is evolving into the major outdoor music venue in the North East to complement our cricketing operation."

The band, who have recorded 16 Top Ten singles including Red, Red Wine, One In Ten and I Got You Babe since they first reached the charts in 1980, will open a musical weekend at the stadium which also features the Northern Proms the following day, Saturday, July 29.

UB40 will be performing on a stage on the outfield of the cricket field, which means about 8,000 fans will be able to see the band, compared to the 25,000 expected for Elton John.

The Riverside staged its first major music event in August 2003, when opera singer Graeme Danby performed to 2,000 fans at the first Northern Proms.

Its biggest gig to date was in July last year, when 5,000 music lovers braved torrential rain to watch young jazz sensation Jamie Cullum.

Tickets for the UB40 concert (£29.50 to £38, plus booking fee) can be booked on 0191-263 5000 or 0870 534 4444, or from the Durham County Cricket Club's box office during office hours.