Coldplay perform hidden gigs for homeless

The band, who will play a second hidden gig in Newcastle tonight, decided to put on the shows to draw attention to the "hidden problem of homelessness" and to raise funds for the charity Crisis.

The band played at Liverpool's Royal Court Theatre and was supported by the Choir with No Name, a vocal group made up of homeless people and others on the fringes of society.

Crisis said more than 238,000 had been raised by Coldplay fans.Leslie Morphy, chief executive of Crisis, said: "We know that their support and millions of fans will help shine a light on the thousands of hidden homeless people we strive to help year round who are all too often forgotten - particularly at Christmas when we know the pain of homelessness can be particularly acute."

Good friends of the band Ant & Dec are travelling home to Newcastle for Christmas and have offered their compering services for the concert tonight.