GENERATIONS of music lovers will gather at the Knavesmire next weekend for a barnstorming York festival.

Sounds from the last 40 years are expected to entertain hundreds when the two-day AIR2003 music festival rolls into the city.

Held on Knavesmire on July 26 and July 27, dozens of live acts will be playing tunes from the 60s, 70s and 80s through to the present day.

Headline acts include Bad Manners, The Animals and Friends and The Yards. International acid-jazz musician Bherman will lead the entertainment on a marquee stage and is making his first appearance in York.

Local talent comes from the sound of Dust Bowl Central, The Stanley's, Hardwired and AKp.

Organisers promise the music festival will be a family affair with three giant art panels on site for people to add their own mark to the weekend.

Paints and marker pens will be on hand and festival goers will be able to paint, doodle, or simply write their names onto the huge boards.

The finished 'artwork' will later be exhibited at the city's Grand Opera House. Liz Topi, City of York Council's events officer, said: "It's really quite unusual for a music festival to offer such a wide diversity of acts, with music from the 60s right through to today's cutting edge bands.

"Knavesmire is a fantastic setting for a summer concert and we are hoping that festival goers will help us to create some fantastic art to exhibit.

"We'd particularly like children to get really involved because this is a festival for the whole family to enjoy."

The festival will also feature a market, food village, beer tent and overnight camping facilities.

Admission is £12 for a single day (£6 for under 14s) and £22 for the weekend (under 14s £11). Weekend tickets with camping facilities, available for tents only, cost £25.

Tickets are available from the Barbican Centre or from the York Arts Forum website at www.yaf.org.uk

Updated: 08:26 Wednesday, July 16, 2003