Their delicate harmonies conjure up images of sun-drenched beaches, swaying palms and crashing waves.But legendary stars the Beach Boys will this summer swap the white sands of America's West Coast for… Thetford Forest.

Their delicate harmonies conjure up images of sun-drenched beaches, swaying palms and crashing waves.

But legendary stars the Beach Boys will this summer swap the white sands of America's West Coast for… Thetford Forest.

The band - a household name on both sides of the Atlantic since the 1960s with classics such as Surfin' USA and Good Vibrations - are part of an impressive summer line-up for the open-air venue.

Following the success of Pulp and Jools Holland - both of whom performed sell-out shows there last year - Forest Enterprise has booked four major bands for this year.

Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra will return, and there will be appearances by rock legends Status Quo and jazz virtuoso Courtney Pine.

Mike Taylor of Forest Enterprise said: "It is going to be phenomenal. Everyone here is really looking forward to the summer.

"Getting the Beach Boys to play is a major coup for us, they are a massive act. This is the first year we have run two weekends of music ourselves and we are thrilled we have managed to attract such quality acts."

In the 40-plus years since the Beach Boys were formed, the band's lead singer, Mike Love, has not taken a single summer off and the group has performed more live shows than any other major rock act.

Although Love is the only original member still in the line-up, long-time fans will recognise veteran drummer Bruce Johnston, who has been with The Beach Boys since the 1970s.

Status Quo's rock anthem Rocking All Over The World was the opening number at Live Aid in 1985 and albums such as In The Army Now and Ain't Complaining have been regular entries in the Top 10 of the charts.

Modern jazz master Courtney Pine was awarded an OBE for his services to music in 2000 and his flamboyant showmanship and incredible breath control have made him a legend.

After his rise to fame with the 1980s band Squeeze, Jools Holland branched off in 1985 with drummer Gilson Lavis to form the Orchestra with top musicians plucked from around the world.

Jools and Status Quo will perform on June 13 and 14 respectively, followed by the Beach Boys on July 25 and Courtney Pine on July 26.

t Booking details at www.forestry.gov.uk or call 01842 814612.