POP superstars Girls Aloud have announced they are to kick off their reunion show with two dates in the North-East.

The five-piece girl group will play Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena on February 21 and 22 at the start of a 12-date UK arena tour to mark their 10th anniversary.

The announcement comes hot on the heels of singer Cheryl Cole’s sell-out solo dates at the same venue earlier this week.

The tour also marks the release of the group’s greatest hits album Ten, due for release on November 26.

Tickets for the Newcastle shows, priced £37.50 and £42.50, go on sale at 9am on Friday, October 26 from metroradioarena.co.uk or 0844 493 6666.