A FANTASTIC line-up of free entertainment has been organised to celebrate the Olympic flame’s arrival in York, culminating in a huge concert on Knavesmire.

Singer Katy B and street dance duo Twist & Pulse will take the stage on Tuesday evening to round off the first day of celebrations.

Katy B, who has teamed up with producer Mark Ronson to create the Olympic song, Anywhere In The World, said: “London 2012 is such a huge moment for the UK and I can’t wait to help spread the excitement in York as the Olympic torch makes its historic journey around the country.”

The free concert begins at 5pm and will also include performances from local African drumming groups Umbu and Calabash and the gospel sounds of the University of York’s choir Zamar.

As well as the Knavesmire concert, the Olympic torch will get a ringing welcome to York with choirs and peals of church bells, before the Scots Guards’ band of pipes and drums see it off to Thirsk aboard the Scots Guardsman locomotive, on Wednesday.

Coun Sonja Crisp, City of York Council’s head of leisure and culture, said: “York has a rich tradition of music and it’s wonderful that so many different ensembles are coming to help line the route of the Olympic torch and bring even more spectacle and entertainment to the occasion.”

To help build the atmosphere, the music will start outside York College, where the first torch bearer will begin the York relay at 5.23pm.

Along its route, the torch will be serenaded by choirs including the York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir, and a special performance by visiting choral groups from Australia and the USA.

Ringing a welcome through the city will be St Wilfrid’s peal from 4.45pm followed by York Minster’s carillon of 35 bells run after Evensong from 6pm on Tuesday.

• THE free tickets for the events can be obtained from Visit York’s Visitor Information Centre on the corner of Museum Street and Blake Street, or from any York Explore Library Learning Centre, Acomb Explore in Front Street, Acomb, or Tang Hall Library in Fifth Avenue, Tang Hall.

Tickets will be limited to six tickets per applicant.

All young people aged 14 years or under must be accompanied by an adult and admission will be by ticket only.