ROCK and roll is proving a real money-spinner for eco-projects on the North York Moors.

A wide range of green projects have benefited to the tune of more than £150,000 thanks to some of the top names in music including Jarvis Cocker, UB40 and James Morrison.

New figures from the Forestry Commission demonstrate the success of open-air concerts staged on its estate in Dalby Forest, near Pickering, since 2001.

Profits from the popular gigs have been used to create the Dixon’s Hollow Bike Park in Dalby as well as various walking trails.

Ancient monuments up to 3,000 years old have also been cleared of overgrown vegetation and conservation work carried out to protect a rare fly and a tiny snail found only in Dalby.

In total some 75,000 people have attended the gigs since the Levellers and Jools Holland first took to the rustic stage in 2001.

Paul Weller claims the title for the quickest selling gig for his upcoming appearance in the forest this summer in June.

He sold all 5,000 tickets in just six days, beating the previous two week record held by The Beautiful South in 2005.

Chart toppers McFly, who are appearing on June 26, have also sold nearly 4,000 tickets, helping boost overall figures.

Concert organiser Paul Cody said: "The new statistics make fascinating reading.

"Staging mega open-air gigs in the heart of the North York Moors raised lots of eyebrows at first. But the public have given us terrific backing.

"We also wanted to attract new people to Dalby and the figures show that nearly one third of concert-goers are new to the woodland, so that’s another very encouraging result."

Technology has also made its mark, according to the figures. All the tickets for the first gig were sold over the phone or shop counter, but last year 80 per cent were bought online.

A quarter of people going to the concerts stay at least one night in the area and 96 per cent said they would return to see another a band.

*Tickets for McFly are still available at £26.50, subject to booking fee. They can be bought at www.forestry.gov.uk/music or via 01842 814612, or from Dalby Forest Visitor Centre on 01751 460295.