KAISER Chiefs will perform to an audience of about 5,000 people in a forest clearing, it has been announced.

The Yorkshire band, which have produced a succession of popular albums since forming more than 15 years ago, including Employment, Yours Truly, Angry Mob and Off With Their Heads will play at Dalby Forest, near Pickering, on Saturday, June 25.

The show, to also feature a guest act, will follow gigs at the Forestry Commission venue by Guy Garvey and John Newman over the previous two days.

A string of top names have played at the venue in recent years including Blondie, Paul Weller, Paloma Faith and Simple Minds.

Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson, who is appearing as a coach on TV singing contest The Voice, said: “As a band we’ve always loved to play outdoors, we’ve done fields, parks, farms, rooftops, beaches and back gardens, but this will be the first time we’ve played in a forest.

"If you go down to the woods this summer, you’re sure of a big surprise. We’re really looking forward to being part of Forest Live.”

For tickets, costing £38.50 (plus £4.35 booking fee), call 03000-680400, or visit forestry.gov.uk/music from 9am on Friday (January 22).