The Undertones have announced four special concerts to mark their 50th anniversary, with shows in Belfast this December and in their hometown of Derry next February.

The band will play two nights at the Limelight in Belfast on December 19 and 20. DJ Terri Hooley, who released the band's early records, will perform warm-up sets, and other special guests are promised.

In February, the group will perform at the Millennium Forum in Derry. Scottish punk band Skids will join as support, along with DJ Terri Hooley.

Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10am via Ticketmaster.

The Undertones formed in Derry in 1976. Their 1978 single Teenage Kicks became a punk classic after BBC DJ John Peel played it twice in a row on his show. The band went on to record hits such as Here Comes The Summer and My Perfect Cousin before singer Feargal Sharkey left in 1983, leading to a break-up.

In 1999, the remaining members reunited with new vocalist Paul McLoone. They have since toured internationally and released new music, including the 2003 single Thrill Me, which John Peel also championed by playing twice.

A new live album, 16 Live Humdingers, is now available exclusively at the band's shows on green vinyl.