THE countdown to two major open-air concerts by British stars Pulp and Jools Holland began against the unlikely backdrop of a wood pulping machine.

Forestry Commission chief Andrew Smith launched the run-up to the mid-summer gigs, which will take place in the 8,600-acre beauty spot of Dalby Forest, near Pickering, North Yorkshire.

He strummed his guitar as a pulping machine sent sawdust flying as it helped to clear the concert site.

Arriving on the back of their latest album, We Love Life, with its return to nature vibe, Pulp front man Jarvis Cocker will be aiming to find fresh inspiration at the gig on Saturday, June 22.

The following night, Jools Holland, who made his debut at the forest last year in front of 3,700 revellers, will be performing a repeat session.

The 40-year-old maestro is in huge demand, with a new series of Later with Jools Holland now airing on BBC2, and having recently completed a collaborative album featuring top artists such as Sting, Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton and Paul Weller.

Tickets for both events are now on sale, priced £21, and can be booked through the Forestry Commission's hotline on (01842) 814612, from 10am to 5pm.

* The Northern Echo has two pairs of tickets for each concert to give away to readers. To win tickets, answer the following question correctly: With which band did Jools Holland make his name?

Entries should be sent to Newsdesk, The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington, County Durham, DL1 1NF. Entrants should state which concert they would like tickets for. Entries should be received by next Friday.