Chart-topping pop bands, 5ive and Atomic Kitten, have helped to launch a series of free concerts in the North East.
The groups, who both dominated the charts in the late 90s and early 2000s, performed at the first in a series of four Sunday Concerts at Bents Park, South Shields, as part of the South Tyneside Festival 2015.
Atomic Kitten, who achieved three number ones at the height of their international fame and 5ive, who have sold more than 20milion albums worldwide, both showcased their extensive back catalogues to entertain more than 20,000 fans throughout the afternoon.
They were joined for the open air event by boyband HomeTown, whose debut release Where I Belong, beat Ed Sheeran and One Direction to the number one spot in the Irish charts.
And North East favourites, The Waiters and South Tyneside’s Young Performer of the Year 2014, Lily Brooke also showcased the region’s own, up and coming talent.
Councillor Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council, with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, said: “This was an amazing start to the South Tyneside Festival Sunday Concert series with thousands of music lovers enjoying a bumper afternoon in Bents Park.
“5ive and Atomic Kitten wowed both new and returning fans alike, while The Waiters, Lily Brooke and HomeTown all offered a great insight into talent of the future and I have no doubt we will see big things from them in the years to come.”
Sunday’s concert marks the start of a series of performances in Bents Park, sponsored by Port of Tyne, Colmans and Dicksons as part of the South Tyneside Festival 2015.
Other acts set to appear in the coming weeks include Billy Ocean (July 19), Sophie Ellis-Bextor and The Feeling (July 26) and North East stars Joe McElderry, Collabro and Lola Saunders (August 2).
Full listings for these events, and all the other activities taking place as part of the South Tyneside Festival 2015, can be found at www.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk, by searching for South Tyneside Events on Facebook, following STynesideEvents on Twitter or calling the South Tyneside Visitor Information Centre on 0191 424 7788.