THE NORTH'S biggest rock event could be set to move to a country estate near Tadcaster.

Organisers of the Leeds Carling Weekend have confirmed they are to apply for licences both for the festival's usual home at Temple Newsam, Leeds, and for Bramham Park, as a possible alternative site.

Though Temple Newsam is still the preferred venue, the festival has met with growing local opposition over the years, and last year was only granted a licence after an appeal.

Bramham Park could provide a reserve site if the festival was turned down at Temple Newsam.

Last year's Temple Newsam festival was marred after a 200-strong gang set fire to toilet blocks, destroyed fencing, pulled down electricity pylons and pelted police with missiles.

The violence on the final night of the three-day event left 44 people injured and caused £250,000 worth of damage.

In February, eight people appeared before Leeds Crown Court in relation to the incident.

Mean Fiddler, the promoters of the festival, said the Bramham site, though it had never hosted such an event, was actually larger and more accessible than Temple Newsam.

The festival will take place on the August Bank Holiday weekend of Friday, August 22, to Sunday, August 24.

It will be headlined on the Friday night by heavy metal legends Metallica, on the Saturday by multi-million-selling American rockers Linkin Park, and on Sunday by Britpop survivors Blur.

More than 100 bands and artists are set to appear on the festival's six stages over the weekend.

Other names confirmed so far include Sum 41, System Of A Down, Beck, Doves, Placebo, Blink 182, The White Stripes - who are at number one in the album chart this week - and controversial singer and actress Courtney Love.

Tickets for the festival are available now, priced £95 for the weekend or £40 per day.

Updated: 11:10 Tuesday, April 08, 2003