Coldplay set for intimate Mencap gig

Coldplay have confirmed they are set to play an intimate charity show.

Taking place on December 19 at Exeter Castle, the gig is in support of Mencap's Big Noise Sessions.

"I don't think there could be a better way to end the decade – La Roux, Lily Allen, Jo Whiley – what more can you ask for?" Chris Martin said. "We're proud to support Mencap and, for me, it's exciting to play my hometown. We haven't played there since 2000. It's going to be really, really special."

Due to take place inside a marquee transformed into a Christmas winter wonderland, tickets for the show will be released in three stages.

The first batch of tickets will be made available to paying subscribers on the Little Noise Sessions website on December 8. The second lot will be sold at HMV Exeter on December 10, with the remaining batch put on general sale via HMV's official website the following day (11).

Tickets for the show will cost £50, with all proceeds going to Mencap.