Bootleg Beatles headline festival

After months of deliberation and talks with numerous acts and agents it has been announced The Bootleg Beatles – who are also playing Glastonbury this year – will be taking centre stage at the Burntwood Wakes on August 12.

And they will be supported by The Counterfeit Stones, Talon – The Best of Eagles, and yet to be confirmed, Bootleg Abba.

Creative World Entertainment, which is project managing the entire weekend at Burntwood Rugby Club, revealed they had finally decided to bring together some of the best tribute acts on the UK circuit to entertain the crowds. The concert follows in the footsteps of last year's sell-out performance by rockers Status Quo, and legendary crooner Tony Christie in 2005.

Last month it was revealed that chart-busting act Keane would not be headlining this year's festival, nor would Deep Purple.

Several other acts who were also in the frame, including Ronan Keating, Simple Minds and The Australian Pink Floyd, also fell through the net.

Today Mervyn Spence, managing director of Creative World Entertainment, said tickets for the concert are set to go on sale at the beginning of next week. And after thinking about which acts to book for the concert he opted for ones which would do the business and bring in the crowds.

"As the tribute support acts went down so well at last year's event we thought that this might be a better option to promote," said Mr Spence.

"The Bootleg Beatles are a major act in their own right and are also performing at Glastonbury this year.

"They have supported everyone from Oasis to Rod Stewart and sell out major venues." The Burntwood Wakes, organised by Burntwood Town Council, opens with a family day on August 11. This event is completely free and will be headlined by The Staffordshire Festival Orchestra.

For more details log onto www.burntwoodwakes.co.uk