Stars from the music world have been recruited to hammer home a message of hope to counter the foot and mouth crisis - "Ryedale is open for business!".

Jools Holland and the Levellers will perform two separate open air shows in Dalby Forest, near Pickering, in June.

After weeks of closure, organisers are hoping the concerts will raise the profile of the forest and attract visitors back in their droves.

But local farming groups, faced with the prospect of more than 8,000 music fans trekking into the forest, are urging organisers to follow MAFF advice "to the book".

Peter Green, from the Forestry Commission, said if the concerts were successful, the event could become an annual event with more top acts visiting the area.

"This is the first year we've tried anything like this," he said.

"Any profits from tickets sales from the venture will be put towards improving public facilities in Dalby Forest.

"We have a very limited budget to repair paths and seating so all the money made from these events will be ploughed back into maintaining the forest."

The Levellers will be performing on Friday June 1 and Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra will be on the following night, June 2, said Mr Green.

"Obviously the concerts will only go ahead as long as we are allowed - if there is an outbreak and MAFF say we can't have visitors in, they will have to be cancelled.

"But we're planning to open the forest for Easter anyway so, fingers crossed, we will still be open in June."

The idea for the concerts came from similar events staged in Thetford Forest, near Nottingham.

"They've been doing them there for three years - Jools Holland is very popular as are the Levellers, but with different crowds," said Mr Green.

"A stage will be set up in the middle of the forest, a parking area will be set up in a nearby field and we're also going to be setting up lighting so people can see their way around. We can hold up to 4,500 people for each concert."

Ryedale NFU representative, Robert Hicks, said he hoped organisers followed all advice from MAFF representatives to the letter.

"I also hope they consult closely with local farmers who live around the forest," he said.

Steve Jacques, chairman of the Ryedale Tourism Association, said the concerts were a welcome boost.

"Accommodation providers will benefit because people coming to visit will need to stay somewhere and this can only be a huge benefit for the whole industry," he said.

Tickets to both shows can be purchased at York and Scarborough Tourist Information Centres and York's Theatre Royal. Alternatively you can book them by phoning (01751) 477022.

Updated: 08:38 Thursday, April 05, 2001