PREPARATIONS are well underway for almost 10,000 people to descend on Dalby Forest this weekend for two nights of live music.

The stage is almost set for chart-toppers McFly and Paul Weller to entertain music fans of all ages at concerts organised by the Forestry Commission to raise money to fund projects in the woodlands, near Pickering.

Tonnes of sound equipment, nearly 150 lights and miles of cabling are being installed, turning the tree-lined Adderstone Field into a 5,000 capacity rock venue.

Tickets for Paul Weller, who is playing on Saturday, have sold out, but there are a few tickets remaining for McFly on Friday night.

The gigs are part of a series of 22 Forestry Commission concerts taking place nationwide, with acts including the Sugababes, Katherine Jenkins and Simply Red performing.

The concerts have been organised Paddy Harrop, from Helmsley, in North Yorkshire, who joined the Forestry Commission as a lumberjack before working his way up to recreation manager.

"The concerts have not only brought top music to wonderful venues," he said, "They have also introduced thousands of people of all ages to our woods, giving forests like Dalby a whole new 21st century profile."

Dalby Forest will be closed to the general public at 3pm before gates open for concert-goers at 6pm.

Outdoors clothes and a torch are advisable.

A small number of McFly tickets, priced £26.50 are still availaError! Bookmark not defined.Error! Bookmark not defined.ble from the Forestry Commission box office on 01842-814612, or online at www.forestry.gov.uk/music, or from Dalby Forest Visitor Centre.