Madness to headline Hogmanay concert

Madness are to headline Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations this year, the festival organisers have announced.

At their first Edinburgh gig in 15 years the band will play at the Concert In Gardens, a highlight of the city's New Year celebrations.

The band told the BBC: "2009 has been an incredible year for us and how better to say goodbye to it than by welcoming 2010 at Edinburgh's Hogmanay? We've heard it's one of the world's best New Year bashes so we are expecting mayhem - Edinburgh's laid down the gauntlet, we're there to take up the challenge."

Councillor Steve Cardownie, of the City of Edinburgh Council, added: "Edinburgh's Hogmanay is envied across the world and this year, with Madness set to perform, there will be no better place to be to bring in the New Year."