THE organisers of an open-air concert to fund research to help reduce the number of premature births have announced a jazz swing act will support a Rod Stewart tribute act.

Thirsk Action Group said Andy Barker will perform songs by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Michael Buble ahead of headliners Paul Metcalfe’s Rod Stewart Tribute Show taking to the stage of Picnic In The Park, in Thirsk, on Saturday, July 12.

Event organisers said ticket sales had been strong for the event in parkland at Thirsk Hall, which last year attracted a record 2,000 people.

An event spokeswoman said: "We are hoping that both acts will have the audience dancing the night away."

The event raises money for local causes and Action Medical Research, which has funded research that discovered the importance of taking folic acid before and during pregnancy to prevent spina bifida, helped develop the use of ultrasound technology in pregnancy and tested the rubella vaccine.

Tickets, costing £20 for adults and £12 for children aged 12 and over, are available for the concert which will end with a fireworks display by visiting thirskpicnicinthepark.co.uk or Thirsk Tourist Information Centre.

For details, visit thirskpicnicinthepark.co.uk