Talks about Gateshead hosting the festival started in 1999

The Sage Gateshead will host leading world music expo Womex in 2005.

The event celebrates a wide range of music and will feature more than 350 musicians from around the world and will attract thousands of visitors.

Previous venues have included Berlin, Brussels and Stockholm and there was competition from other cities including Paris and Seville to host it.

Sage performance programme director Ros Rigby signed the contract with Womex director Christoph Borkowsky Akbar in Berlin this week.

'Stiff competition'

She said: "Discussions about bringing Womex to Gateshead started back in 1999, and we are delighted that we are at last able to confirm that it will come to us next year.

"The UK has played an enormously significant part in the development of the world music industry, through organizations like Womad, publications such as Froots and Songlines, the commitment of Arts Council England, the BBC and others, and we are thrilled to be able to host this event in our new building."

The event celebrates world, roots, folk, ethnic, traditional and local music.

Newcastle Gateshead Initiative head of conventions and membership, Ian Taylor, said: "Womex is an important world-class cultural event which we have won against stiff competition from major players in the conference industry such as Paris and Seville.

"Bringing an event of this international stature here demonstrates Newcastle Gateshead is now recognised as a leading creative area with a stunning backdrop, first rate facilities and an inspirational atmosphere."