A RADIO search for the region's best loved song has been selected by the public.

'On the Beach' by Chris Rea will be covered by an 80 piece BBC orchestra, after being named the anthem of Teesside, County Durham and North Yorkshire.

BBC Radio Tees held a week-long search for the perfect track, and public nominations saw the Middlesbrough-born performer come out on top.

The final winner, picked by station presenters and orchestra musicians, will now be covered by the BBC Philharmonic, which has been playing and broadcasting concerts in the North for nearly a 100 years.

The 80-piece orchestra has just two weeks to adapt and perform the song, with each musician recording their part in their own home because of coronavirus restrictions.

BBC Radio Tees presenter Amy Oakden said: “We asked people in the area to name a song they love from our region – and the response was incredible. In the end the team decided that On the Beach by Chris Rea was the way to go. It’s one of the many great tunes from one of Middlesbrough’s most famous musicians.

“To hear it performed by one of the world’s best orchestras will be phenomenal.”

The song will be played on the breakfast show on June 26 and will then be added to the Great Northern Playlist, all covered by the orchestra.

Simon Webb, director of the BBC Philharmonic, said: “What a tune to cover. There’s no doubt it’s going to be a challenge for our musicians, but hearing On the Beach in all its glory will be very special.

“The BBC Philharmonic has been the orchestra of the North for nearly a century. It’s fantastic that we can continue serving communities here despite the coronavirus restrictions.”