He will be joined by other top names including Supergrass, Athlete, The Rascals, Young Knives, Fun Lovin Criminals and Black Kids, at the Last Days of Summer Festival at Stowe House, near Silverstone.

Paul Reaney, organiser of the festival, said: "News that Richard Ashcroft will play his only solo UK gig at The Last Days of Summer Festival makes the event one of the season's must attend music events.

"The Last Days of Summer Festival unites Supergrass, Ashcroft and The Rascals, some of the most exciting new music coming out of both sides of the Atlantic. The Last Days of Summer is going to be an unforgettable day."

Music lovers can expect to hear A Song for the Lovers by Richard Ashcroft and Wires by Athlete at the festival on
Bank Holiday Monday (August 25).
Oxford rockers Supergrass will be performing material from their latest album Diamond Hoo Ha alongside classics such as Mary, Richard III and Sun Hits the Sky.

Newcomers The Rascals will play tracks from their new album Rascalize, while emerging band Black Kids will be performing I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You.

Ciaran Kennedy, event spokesman, said: "The Last Days of Summer Festival is one of the music calendar's coolest new dates which brings
together, on one stage, for one day, a brilliant international line up to one of the most beautiful parts of the country.

"The Last Days of Summer Festival is the first time Stowe House has agreed to stage this type of event and we've worked hard to deliver a line-up you'd normally only see at the really big festivals.

"The Last Days of Summer will allow friends to sit and chill out, grab a beer and sandwich at the bar and food village and enjoy, for the last time in 2008, a superb British festival."

Tickets for the festival cost £39.50, plus booking fee. They can be bought by phoning 0871 2200260 or visiting www.seetickets.com. VIP tickets are also available upon request.

The event car park will open from 10.30am, gates open at noon and the music will start at 1.30 and finishing at 11pm.
For more information on the festival, visit www.thelastdaysofsummer.com.