Thrilling date for JLS pop fans

If you like thrills, spills and a smattering of pure, no-nonsense pop music then The Alton Towers Resort in Staffordshire might just have pulled together your perfect day on Sunday.

The theme park – home to thrill rides including TH13TEEN and Oblivion – will play host to its first summer concert of the season and top boybands JLS and McFly are both on the bill. They will be joined by The Saturdays and Eliza Doolittle.

The park will be open as normal throughout the day and anyone who buys a ticket for the concert, due to start at 4.30pm, will also be given admission to the theme park beforehand.

Dominique Sidley, event director at Alton Towers, said: "The Alton Towers Resort is a magnificent venue for a concert of this scale and we are delighted to be welcoming some of the biggest and best artists from the pop industry.

"With the famous Towers as the backdrop for the event and our world beating rides and attractions to enjoy, Alton Towers Live really is set to be a highlight of the summer."

Former X Factor stars JLS – made up of Aston, Marvin, Ortise and JB – will headline the event with the concert due to finish at 10pm.

The show is just one of many outdoor gigs the JLS boys are playing this summer. Only last Saturday, the fab four played the Capital FM Summertime Ball at Wembley where Marvin Humes took a bit of an on-stage tumble thanks to a long, wet day of rain.

Tweeting after the slip he wrote: "OMG! So now when journalists ask me 'So Marvin, what's your most embarrassing moment?' I have the best one!!

"Slipping over in front of 75,000 people! Have to laugh though! It was like an ice rink on that stage. . . but I'm fine, didn't even hurt! Lol."

This weekend's concert comes ahead of a headlining set by the Black Eyed Peas at the Staffordshire attraction next month. Fergie, Will.i.am and co will take to the Towers' outdoor stage on Wednesday, July 6.

A?limited number of concert only tickets – that will not give access to the theme park beforehand – have just been released and cost £39 per person.

For ticket details, prices and information on park and hotel packages for either of the concerts, visit www.altontowers.com or www.seetickets.com

Amy Burns