TWO of the world’s best Salvation Army bands are to perform concerts in the North-east as part of a UK tour.

The Chicago Staff Band are to perform in Durham Cathedral and also Consett, the town where the world’s first Salvation Army band was founded back in 1878.

Meanwhile, the Melbourne Staff Band are to perform concerts in in Durham City, and also in Sunderland.

The tour has been organised to mark the 120th anniversary of the founding of the Salvation Army’s International Staff Band.

The Melbourne Staff Band, formed in 1890, has performed at venues as varied as Buvkingham Palace and Disneyland.

On Saturday, May 28 they will perform at Durham Johnston School, in Crossgate Moor, Durham City at 7pm. Tickets cost £10 and are available from Kevin Wilkinson, 9 Lavington Road, South Shields, NE34 6EY. Cheques should be made payable to The Salvation Army, and should be sent along with a stamped self-addressed envelope.

The following day, the band will lead Sunday services at The Salvation Army’s Sunderland Millfield Corps in Rutland Street, Sunderland at 10.30am and 4pm.

On Thursday, June 2, the Chicago Staff Band will perform a concert at Consett Empire, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced £10, are available from the box office on 01207 218171.

Beforehand, the band will warm up with an informal concert at Durham Cathedral at 1.15pm and will attend a civic reception at County Hall, in Durham.

Bandmaster William Himes, said: "Whilst the band has toured to the UK on previous occasions it will be our first visit to Consett – home of the first Salvation Army band.

"We look to the marvellous opportunity to return to the roots of our great band heritage and share our music and message with people from Consett and Durham during our visit.’