THE organisers of a fundraising summer concert in the grounds of of an 18th Century manor have announced a show dedicated to Rod Stewart will headline the event.

Thirsk Picnic in the Park, which attracted a record 2,000 guests last year, will be held for the ninth time at in ten acres of parkland at Thirsk Hall on Saturday, July 12, from 5pm.

Paul Metcalfe’s Rod Stewart Tribute Show with his five– piece band, whose credits include Chris De Burgh, George Michael, and Shirley Bassey, will feature hits including Maggie May, Baby Jane and Sailing alongside Motown classics.

A spokeswoman for the event said: “The show is all about singing along, dancing and having a good time.

“When you’re in the audience at one of their gigs it is obvious that Paul and the boys have a lot of fun on stage.”

A support act is yet to be announced for the event, which will conclude with a firework display.

Organisers Sue Calvert and Jane Burgess, of Thirsk Action Group, said there had already been strong interest in this year’s event.

Mrs Calvert said: “We are getting a good following and the event seems to be growing every year.”

Among the local causes set to benefit from this year’s event will be a Sowerby Music initiative to further children’s musical development, but most of the proceeds will go to Action Medical Research, a charity devoted to enabling breakthroughs in treatment for sick children.

Val Hogg, the charity’s regional fundraising manager, said the concert was vital to the charity as it was its biggest fundraising event in the north of England.

She said: “Other than the funds it generates, it helps get our name out to a lot of people.

“Although we have been going for 60 years we are a small charity, so this event, which is a lot of work for the organisers, is fantastic.”

Those attending are invited to take a picnic, or buy food on site, and bookings for gazebo pitches will be taken from today (Saturday, March 1).

Early Bird tickets are on sale from today (Saturday, March 1) to April 30, and cost £16 for adults and £8 for 12 to 16-year-olds. Under-11s enter free, accompanied by an adult. Tickets bought after April 30 cost £4 extra.

Tickets are available Thirsk Tourist Information Centre, Zillah Bell Gallery, CB Furnishings branches in Thirsk and Northallerton and Calverts Rug Shop, Thirsk.

For details, visit facebook.com/ThirskPicnicinthePark or thirskpicnicinthepark.co.uk, where tickets are available online.