Corrs to perform concert in memory of dead mum

The Corrs are tonight staging a fund-raising concert in the city where their mother died 14 months ago.

Jean Corr, 57, whose children Andrea, Caroline, Sharon and Jim make up the group, was waiting for a lung transplant operation at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle-upon-Tyne when she died.

Tonight the family act returns to the city for the first time since her death in November 1999 to play a one-off charity concert.

The show at the Newcastle Arena, an extra date on the band's current UK tour, is expected to raise in the region of £100,000 for the hospital.

Mrs Corr was flown to England from the family home in Dundalk, Co Louth, in the Irish Republic, after she was diagnosed with a rare breathing condition.

She was awaiting a transplant operation when her condition worsened and she died.

The Corrs children, who were with their mother in her last days along with their father Gerry, were thankful for the treatment she received and wanted to help research into the disease.

The money will be used to help extend the William Leech Centre, which isdedicated to research into lung treatment.

A hospital spokeswoman said: "Being back in Newcastle will bring back sad memories for the family, but we are delighted they are performing this concert in aid of research at the hospital".

The Corrs have been raising money for the hospital since their mother died, but had been looking for a way of raising more.