Eighties pop giants Madness have been confirmed as the latest act to appear at Thetford Forest this summer.

Eighties pop giants Madness have been confirmed as the latest act to appear at Thetford Forest this summer.

The band, who had 21 top 20 singles between 1979 and 1986, will be playing on Saturday June 11 at the start of a series of six concerts on Forestry Commission sites across the country.

The group, who formed in north London in the late 1970s, are best known for singles such as Our House, which reached number one, and House of Fun. Though they split in 1986, they have since reformed and played regular arena shows through the 1990s.

And lead singer Suggs, also known as Graham McPherson, has achieved commercial success with his solo releases.

Mike Taylor, forest operations manager, said: "Madness are absolutely fantastic. The forest will be buzzing that evening. It should be a fantastic gig, I think."

He said that this year's line-up, which includes the Beautiful South and Ian Brown, was looking "really good".

Tickets for the Beautiful South's sell-out gig went more quickly than any of the forest's concerts to date.

Tickets for Madness, which cost £27.50 plus booking fee, are available from 9am on Friday on 01842 814612 or at www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Ronan Keating and Will Young will be appearing in Newmarket this summer as part of the Newmarket Nights series of concerts.

The Friday evening events will feature former Boyzone star Ronan Keating, Pop Idol winner Will Young and ex-Westlife singer Brian McFadden for the first time.

Jools Holland and Status Quo will be making return appearances at the racecourse, with sell-out crowds expected.

The concerts run from June 17 to August 12. Tickets range from £8 to £27 and are available from the box office on 08707 200 201 or online at www.newmarketnights.co.uk