POPULAR indie rock band Scouting for Girls has been signed up to play at a County Durham Festival.

The group will join Simple Minds on the new Friday night Stage at the second annual Hardwick Live Garden Part.

The four times Brit Awards nominees, best known for hits such as She’s So Lovely, Elvis Ain’t Dead, Heartbeat and This Ain’t a Love Song, have sold more than two million records and have had four top ten albums in the UK.

John Adamson, managing director of Ramside Estates, said: “Scouting for Girls are a brilliant addition to the Friday stage. We’re thrilled to have yet another band added to the line-up whose songs are so well-known that the crowd will sing along with them, just like they did with Texas, Jools Holland and Alison Moyet last year.”

Sheffield band The Sherlocks, which have supported The Enemy on tour, have also been added to the Friday night line-up.

Hardwick Live takes place on Friday, September 12 and Saturday, September 13 in the grounds of Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield, with Simple Minds headlining the Friday stage and pop legends The Jacksons headlining the Saturday stage.

“The response to the line-up has been incredible,” added Mr Adamson. “People are really excited to see such big names perform in the north east, especially The Jacksons as it’s the only chance to see them in the UK this year.

Also performing on the Saturday evening are pop idol Adam Ant, iconic rock band Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, Hugh Cornwall of The Stranglers, Brit pop heroes Dodgy, souls singer Kenny Thomas, Teesside’s Cattle and Cane as well as London singer song-writer Emma Garrett.

Weekend tickets are available to purchase online via hardwicklive.co.uk or by calling 01740-620253.

Alternatively, individual tickets can be purchased for Friday, priced at £36 for adults, £10 for under-16s and £5 for children and on Saturday tickets cost £49 for adults, £12 for under-16s and £6 for children.

A limited number of Gold tickets are available priced at £119, which includes Saturday entrance ticket, all day gala buffet, exclusive use of hotel bars and VIP parking.