Pop-reggae superstars UB40 will headline one of Thetford Forest's summer concerts.

Pop-reggae superstars UB40 will headline one of Thetford Forest's summer concerts.

The Birmingham band whose hits include Red, Red Wine and Can't Help Falling in Love with You will perform on June 9. It will be the first of their seven-date tour at forest venues across the country.

They join indie group Embrace, who will be playing in Thetford Forest on June 10.

Named after an unemployment benefit form, UB40 have gone on to sell more than 50m albums worldwide since 1978.

In March this year their musical Promises and Lies will premiere at Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

Forest operations manager Mike Taylor was delighted to be welcoming them to Thetford Forest.

He said: “It will be fantastic to have UB40 playing here. Their lighting display is going to be the biggest we have ever had in the forest so it will be very exciting.

“Coupled up with Embrace it is going to be a really fantastic weekend with a good mix of music. We have sold nearly half of the 6,000 tickets for Embrace already.

“I am really looking forward to the weekend although it is going to be difficult to beat last year's concerts.”

Last summer 20,000 people came to Thetford Forest over two weekends to see popstars Madness, The Beautiful South, Daniel Bedingfield and Ian Brown.

Mr Taylor added that another act playing in July could be announced next week.

Tickets cost £29.50 and go on sale on Friday, January 20, at 9am. To book call (01842) 814612 or visit www.ticketmaster.co.uk or www.seetickets.com.