Soul superstar Billy Ocean, who stormed the charts on both sides of the Atlantic with hits including Love Really Hurts Without You, When The Going Gets Tough and Loverboy, is performing at a free concert in South Shields on Sunday (July 12).

He will be joined for the open air gig by renowned songstress Gwen Dickey, who also enjoyed international success as front woman for Rose Royce, voicing top tracks such as Carwash, I Wanna Get Next To You and Wishing On A Star.

Both icons will be performing tracks from their extensive back catalogues, while X Factor star Abi Garrido, from Jarrow, adds a touch of modern talent to the afternoon line-up.

Members of the press are invited to attend the Sunday Concert, featuring Billy Ocean, Gwen Dickey and Abi Garrido – please see editor’s notes for details.

This will be the second in a series of four Sunday Concerts taking place at Bents Park as part of the South Tyneside Festival 2015.   

Other acts still to appear in the series, sponsored by Colmans, Dicksons and Port of Tyne, include Sophie Ellis-Bextor and The Feeling (July 26) and North East stars, Joe McElderry, Collabro and Lola Saunders (August 2).

It also forms part of the wider South Tyneside Festival, which is offering free live music and entertainment for all ages until the end of August.

Councillor Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council, with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, said: “The South Tyneside Festival Sunday Concert series was opened in style by 5ive and Atomic Kitten last week and I am sure that Billy and Gwen will receive an equally warm reception on Sunday.

“This will also be a great homecoming performance by Abi, who has appeared at the festival on several occasions and returns this year by popular demand.”

Gates for Sunday’s concert, with Billy Ocean and Gwen Dickey, will open at 1pm and entry is free.  

Full listings for this, 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.