Music stars arrive in Newcastle for Mercury Prize

Britain and Ireland's top musicians are arriving in Newcastle for this year's Mercury Prize. Sunderland's Lauren Laverne will host the awards, which will take place outside London for the first time, while North Shields' own Sam Fender is set to perform at the event. Fender is one of 12 artists shortlisted and it is hoped his act, and the award's new location, can help inspire the next generation of talent in the region. Middlesbrough country singer Finn Forster said he was grateful the music industry was taking a step outside of London as the North East had been "overlooked for so long".