CLASSICAL Cleveland is one of the smallest groups in the region yet manages to run one of the busiest concert schedules.

The autumn schedule lists nine concerts between now and Christmas.

"We have found a niche in the musical market place," said Peter Sotheran, now in his 18th year as concert organiser. "Our lunchtime recitals at Redcar and Stokesley have built regular and loyal audiences."

He has his wife, Sue, run the enterprise together, presenting lunchtime recitals at Stokesley Methodist Church on the first Thursday of the month and at Redcar's Tune In centre on the second Wednesday.

They also provide musicians for Saltburn Community and Arts Association at the theatre in Saltburn town centre.

The autumn season begins with pianist Azusa Tanner at Stokesley on Thursday, October 5, and classical guitarist Mark Reid at Tuned In, Redcar, on Wednesday, October 11.

The Saltburn season opens on Thursday, October 12, with a full-length evening concert featuring acclaimed international pianist Viv McLean playing Gershwin classics interspersed with light jazz. Later in the month sees the start of an innovative series of Sunday afternoon recitals at the Saltburn Community Theatre.

"We will fill the musical void left when Saltburn's outdoor brass band concerts hibernate for the winter," said Mr Sotheran.

The hour-long concerts feature rising stars of the new generation of musicians.

A change of genre brings French jazz and folk singer Flossie Malavialle to Tuned In for an evening concert on Wednesday, November 29.

"This is a little pre-Christmas treat for Ms Malavialle's huge following across the North-East," he added.

Full details are on the website sotherans.wix.com/classical-cleveland. Seasonal leaflets are available at the three venues and libraries across Saltburn, Marske, Redcar and Stokesley.