AWARD winning band Athlete have been confirmed as the first headliner act for The Big Tree Festival which takes place at Euston Park, between Bury St Edmunds and Thetford, in the summer.

The group has released a string of hits including Half Light, Wires, Beautiful, El Salvador and Tourist.

Since bouncing to prominence with their Mercury-nominated debut, ?Vehicles And Animals?, Athlete have established themselves among the UK’s top bands.

The south east Londoners have sold more than a million copies of their three hit albums (the other two being 2005’s ?Tourist? and 2007’s ?Beyond The Neighbourhood?), packed out venues, picked up an Ivor Novello award and topped both the UK’s album and airplay charts.

They headline the second night of the festival which runs from Friday to Sunday, August 2 to 4.

Suffolk cider producers Aspall have announced their sponsorship of the bicycle powered stage, which will feature a range of acoustic artists including Beverley Craven and Dodgy. Headlining the solar powered Floating Lotus stage is Essex-based Missing Andy, with the second headliner yet to be announced.

They are joined across three eco stages by over 50 other acts including Republica, Yes Sir Boss, Lucy Ward, Will and the People, The Skints, Paper Aeroplanes, and rock ‘n’ roll legends Eddie and the Hot Rods, with more acts still to be announced,

Sunday’s main stage headliners are due to be announced in the coming weeks.

Mr Bloom from popular BBC CBeebies show Mr Bloom’s Nursery will also be stopping by to entertain the children over the weekend.

In addition to the music on offer there will be an abundance of fun and educational workshops and activities for all ages, including the Healing Fields, an area dedicated to holistic treatments, therapies, massages and wood-fired hot tubs.

There will be a Festival Library where the Roald Dahl Museum will be stopping by for storytelling and eco-themed workshops and a festival allotment where people can learn more about sustainability, growing your own vegetables and having a go at planting them.

Andy Reed, of Creation Suffolk, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be able to announce Athlete as our Saturday headliners for the Big Tree Festival. To attract a band as prestigious and popular as Athlete speaks volumes about the ambitions and stature of the new festival and we are sure they will deliver a wonderful show.

“We think using an event such as a festival to demonstrate the positive effects of renewable energy and sustainability is an idea which is really unique to the region. There are not many events out there which offer people the chance to physically contribute to the festival itself. People will be powering the acoustic bicycle stage, charging their mobile phones and DJ turntables, and illuminating various arts installations.

“Where we are not using people the sun will have a role in powering our second stage, a beautiful collection of domes and fully furnished stage which is a regular feature at Glastonbury. We think the festival a fabulous concept and one we are really excited about.”

The festival has just extended their exclusive early bird tickets, which will only be available until the end of April.