AN ENGLAND football star joined thousands of excited music fans who flocked to North Yorkshire to watch three pop acts perform, despite the alternative attraction of Live 8.

Girls Aloud, soulful heartthrob Lemar, and boy band Blazin' Squad, topped the bill at the Velocity Party In The Park at Flamingo Land on Saturday.

Among the fans was England and Arsenal football ace Ashley Cole, boyfriend of Girls Aloud's Cheryl Tweedy.

Not only was it the first live music event to be held at the fun park and zoo, at Kirby Misperton, near Pickering, but also the first day the new ride, Velocity, was opened to the public.

Director Melanie Wood said 5,000 people turned out to watch the acts on stage and the atmosphere was "electric".

She admitted that the Live 8 events had stolen their thunder, but said although ticket sales were only a third of the 15,000 capacity they were "good, considering".

"This was the first music event we had had and it was a great night," said Mrs Wood.

"The atmosphere was fantastic and everyone was asking if we were going to do it again. For me the best act of the night was Lemar - he was superb and knew just how to work the crowd."

Crowds also flocked to a steam engine rally in the grounds of Duncombe Park, Helmsley, on both Saturday and yesterday.

Visitors got the chance to see a whole host of attractions, including more than 40 steam engines and organs and a classic car exhibition.

Also in Helmsley, the castle played host to a falconry display on both days - showing how the area's visitor attractions have bounced back after the recent floods.

About 2,000 people also turned out for Copmanthorpe Carnival on Saturday, which this year had a Swinging Sixties theme.

The Carnival Princess, nine-year-old Grace Hirst, and her two attendants, headed up the procession in an open-top mini, followed by 1960s-themed floats. The winners this year were Copmanthorpe Brownies with their take on Yellow Submarine.

The guest of honour was the Lady of Copmanthorpe manor, Margaret Chapman-Andrews, now in her 90s, who came from Devon to attend and did a sterling job selling tickets.

There was also a birds of prey display, a rodeo bull, and an under-eights five-a-side football competition. The carnival was part of a week of events, including junior discos, a family treasure hunt, wine tasting and family bingo.

Residents and local councillors celebrated the 100th birthday of Clifton Green yesterday.

In 1904, locals, including those with grazing rights on the green, reached agreement with the Lords of the Manor to take over management of the area and put a post and rail fence around it. After years of patching and repairing, the green, owned by City of York Council, now has a new fence to the exact specifications of the first.

An extravaganza of music and dance took place at the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington on Saturday, with 26 different groups taking part in a summer festival run by City of York Council's performing arts centres and adult education classes.

Updated: 10:30 Monday, July 04, 2005