A TRIBUTE to David Bowie and a musician who has performed Sir Elton John's songs for more than 30 years will be among the acts performing at a concert to raise funds for a charity dedicated to funding research to save children's lives.

Thirsk Action Group is aiming to build on the record 2,500 people who attended its tenth Picnic in the Park event last year, at which it raised funds for Action Medical Research and £1,000 for the Friarage Hospital MRI Scanner Appeal and £1,000 for Thirsk Clock.

The research charity said the concert and fireworks event, to be staged in ten acres of parkland at Thirsk Hall on Saturday, July 9, from 5pm, was vital for it as its biggest fundraising event in the north of England.

Organisers said Paul Bacon, who will perform as The Ultimate Elton, has an extraordinarily similar singing voice to Sir Elton’s, and will draw on a back catalogue of hits including Your Song, Candle in the Wind and Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me.

They said Ed Blaney would transport concert-goers across 40 years of Bowie with his seven-piece band.

An event spokeswoman said: "The night is set to have the audience on their feet all night dancing to these fabulous tribute acts."

To book early bird tickets, costing £20 for adults and £12 for 12 to 16-year-olds, visit thirskpicnicinthepark.co.uk or Thirsk Tourist Information Centre.