ORGANISERS of this year's Latitude Festival have today announced headline acts for the event.

ORGANISERS of this year's Latitude Festival have today announced headline acts for the event.

Held at Henham Park Estate, near Southwold, the festival takes place from July 16 to 19.

Acts including Grace Jones, The Pet Shop Boys, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds are set to perform in the festival's Obelisk Arena.

Melvin Benn, managing director of Latitude organising firm Festival Republic, said: “Latitude Festival really is a focal point of the summer calendar now, and it's only in its fourth edition.

“The level of success is fantastic and it never fails to please me that people have embraced it as much as they have. Being able to bring together all the different aspects of the music and arts worlds is a fabulous achievement and it's that commitment that sets Latitude apart from the other festivals around.

“This year we are excited to announce the involvement of some truly incredible performers and companies that inspire, innovate and entertain.”

With an estimated 700 performers from the worlds of music, film, comedy, theatre, cabaret, dance, poetry, literature and art, the event sold out and attracted 25,000 strong crowds last year.

Tania Harrison, programmer of the festival's arts arenas, said: “Last year's festival surpassed all my expectations - it was truly a spectacular weekend.

“Latitude's success is in its breadth and variety of attractions and I think the audiences are really starting to get into the swing of it now - trying out new things, watching performances they'd never normally see and letting go of their inhibitions.”

This year there will be productions by the The Royal Opera House, Britten Sinfonia, Royal Shakespeare Company and The National Theatre.

Ms Harrison added: “It's an enormous privilege to work with the some of the best arts organisations that the UK has to offer, with The Bush, Paines Plough, Nabokov and The Pleasance bringing stunning plays and writers to the festival and this year I'm absolutely delighted to welcome The Royal Opera House who will be presenting some world class dance and music to Latitude's repertoire.”