Quo to star on the Chase

Status Quo are to play a concert on Cannock Chase as part of the annual forest tour. The veteran rockers will be at the Chase's specially-created venue on June 27. Tickets will go on sale at 9am on Friday.

Organisers are confident the show will be a sell-out.

Alistair Semple, from the Forestry Commission, said: "Next to the Rolling Stones, Status Quo are one of the biggest things that Britain has created.

"We have great acoustics at our venue on the Chase."

The annual concerts at Birches Valley will be in their third year but have failed to make a profit so far because of unexpected costs.

Details of the acts on the following two days will be announced in the new year.

The performances are part of the Forestry Commission's Forest Tour at beauty spots around the country to generate cash for their maintenance. Cannock Chase has a licence to hold such events over a three-day period each June.

This year's concerts saw The Feeling, James Morrison and Jools Holland. The first year's concerts featured UB40 and Embrace.

Excavation costs to prepare the site stopped it making a profit in the first year and this year's concerts were on track to make money until heavy rain forced organisers to spend £8,000 on a safety surface.

Tickets are £30, subject to booking fee, available on 01842 814612 or at www. forestry.gov.uk/music