Million-selling soul group The Real Thing, famous for the 1976 chart toppers You To Me Are Everything and Can't Get By Without You, called into North Yorkshire this week to promote their big summer concert that is being staged to raise much needed funds for Whitby Town.

The Coastline Festival takes place on August 6 and Whitby chairman Graham Manser said: “There has been a lot of interest in our event, and now with less than eight weeks to go until our open air festival at The Stables at Cross Butts in town things are starting to come together.’’

He added: “We feel we have a real coup as The Real Thing and 10cc are still at the top of their game - Graham Gouldman is fronting 10cc plus Chris and Eddie Amoo with Dave Smith are still the main players in The Real Thing all these years on.

“They have a huge catalogue of hits from the 70s to perform so we are very confident of a great turn out and memorable day.

“Hits such as I’m Not In Love, Dreadlock Holiday and Wall Street Shuffl are classic songs that have stood the test of time.

“The important things to stipulate here is that these are not tribute acts, and to remember that this is a boutique-style festival so numbers are limited - so people should get their tickets well in advance.’’

Chris Amoo, lead singer on the smash hits for The Real Thing, said: “We were in the area and we just wanted to take a look at the venue as we know it is the first of its kind for The Stables at Cross Butts.

“The location is simply stunning and with a bit of sunshine it will be even better. The festival is to help raise funds for the local football club and it is good to see everybody playing their part in making this a memorable event.

“We have great memories of playing around Teesside and North Yorkshire across our many years together.

“We played a lot of gigs around here when we were topping the charts in 1976 with You to Me Are Everything and Can't Get By Without You.

“We are celebrating 40 years since those million sellers in that glorious summer of 76, and we look forward to transporting our fans from around the North Yorkshire area back to that wonderful care free period.

“We still get a great thrill when our songs still get played every day on the radio, and still pack the dancefloors all across the world forty years on from that unforgettable summer.’’

Manser added: “It was lovely to welcome the lads to Whitby and their visit gives our Coastline Festival further profile.

“Graham Gouldman had earlier invited us to his home in London and helped us by endorsing the show, just like the lads from the Real Thing he is really looking forward to staying with us at The Stables at Cross Butts.

“We are aiming for a fun family festival and people are telling us that they will be dressed in their 70s style outfits which should be colourful. People from all across the region are buying tickets so that has to be positive for Whitby Town Football Club.’’

The Coastline Festival headlining 10cc and The Real Thing, with supporting acts, takes place at The Stables, Guisborough Road, Whitby on Saturday, August 6. Tickets cost £38 and VIP packages are available at £100.

For ticket information call 0114-223-3777 or visit thecoastlinefestival.co.uk