A RENOWNED North-East singer has teamed up with a multi-instrumentalist from the North Tyne to produce a song inspired by the world famous Great North Run.

Peter Tickell, a traditional Northumbrian musician following in the footsteps of father Mike and sister Kathryn, joined classically-trained singer/songwriter Anna Reay to collaborate on her single Sunset on the Tyne , written in conjunction with Deon Krishnan.

Anna has gained a big following in the region for her traditional songs, and was inspired by the upcoming Great North Run, which will see more than 50,000 people run from Newcastle to South Shields, herself included.

She and Deon put together the lyrics and called upon the assistance of Northumbrian piper Andrew Davison, keyboard player Steve Whitfield and drummer Stu Haikney, as well as esteemed violinist Peter, who has recently toured with Geordie hero Sting.

Anna was instantly bowled over by the wonder provided by Peter’s playing.

She said: “I was so emotional when I heard the magic Peter added to the song. I filled up twice, and was covered in goosebumps in the studio.

“I just couldn’t get over how much he transformed the track. I loved everything he played, and I’m just so grateful to have him involved.”

Anna, who has signed up for the Great North Run on September 10, was grabbed by the event and wanted to capture her emotions in song form.

A proud native of the North-East, she was touched by the many stories behind the reasons people were running.

She said: “The usual format for my songs is that I come up with the lyrics and melody, Deon and I work together on a style, and then Deon adds his magic and puts together the accompaniment.

“However, for Sunset on the Tyne , Deon came up with the melody and music some time ago and wanted it to have the feel of a Geordie folk song.

“This wasn’t something I was familiar with, so it sat on the back burner for a while, until I was inspired by the Great North Run and an afternoon in South Shields actually watching a lovely sunset on the River Tyne!”

She added: “I travel away a lot singing on cruise ships, and the wonderful feeling I get when travelling back to the North-East is definitely worth writing about.

“I think anyone who has lived or visited the North-East could relate to Sunset on the Tyne . It is about the North-East, the Great North Run, family and love.

“When I agreed to do the Great North Run, I felt so passionate about it.

“All the stories about the reasons people are running really inspired me to write the lyrics for this new song.”

Anna has signed up for the run alongside her friend Helen Watson, who lost her father to cancer last year.

Helen’s two brothers, Ian and David, are also running, with the family aiming to raise as much money as possible for charity Prostrate Cancer UK.

Anna said: “Already, there is strong competition brewing for the best time, but I’ll just be glad to make it through in one piece!

“I’ve never done the run before, and I’m not going to lie, I’m terrified, but still very excited to be part of the famous half marathon.”

Following the Great North Run, Anna will perform songs from her upcoming album at her next show, Great Ladies of Song, at Durham’s Gala Theatre on September 17.