UB40 to play free North East summer festival

UB40

One of Britain's best-selling bands is preparing for a free concert at South Shields.

UB40, who have enjoyed international success for more than 30 years, will be performing at Bents Park on July 31.

This will be the final in a series of four consecutive Sunday concertstaking place as part of the South Tyneside Festival 2016, with otherheadliners including The Proclaimers, Tony Hadley and a trio of X Factorcontestants.

UB40, still featuring founding members Jimmy Brown, Robin Campbell, EarlFalconer, Norman Hassan and Brian Travers, have sold more than 100 million records and achieved 40 Top 40 singles in the UK since the 1970s.

They will be performing hits from across the decades at their South Tyneside Festival appearance, including Food for Thought, One In Ten, Kingston Town, Cherry Oh Baby, (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You and Red Red Wine.

Other acts headlining at the series, organised by South Tyneside Council,include X Factor favourites Alexandra Burke, Ben Haenow and Reggie 'n'Bollie (July 10), Scottish stars The Proclaimers (July 17) and SpandauBallet frontman Tony Hadley (July 24).

WATCH: Billy Ocean performs at Bents Park in 2015.