THOUSANDS of music fans are set to descend upon Eastnor Castle's Deer Park this summer as an alternative festival will bring a weekend of fun.

The Big Chill Festival, near Ledbury, was founded for people who wanted a more relaxed atmosphere than at the large festivals and moved to its present site from Larmer Tree Gardens - a Victorian pleasure garden - in Dorset.

This year the event - which won an award for Best Cult Following in the UK Festival Awards 2005 - runs from Friday, August 4, to Sunday, August 6 and is expected to attract 28,000 people.

The festival, in its fifth year at its present site, will see more than 100 musicians and DJs perform across ten entertainment areas, including four open-air stages.

This year's line-up includes big name acts such as 27-year-old rising star Jose Gonzalez, former Squeeze frontman Glenn Tilbrook with his new band The Fluffers and pop band Scritti Politti - led by Welsh singer/songwriter Green Gartside. Up-and-coming Canadian folk rocker Martha Wainwright is also on the bill, with Leamington-Spa based duo Nizlopi - who scored a number one hit with their tune JCB Song - also expected to draw in the crowds.

Scottish act The Proclaimers and long-running pop act Sparks - who are currently experiencing a renaissance - are also expected to be highlights of the three-day event, with DJs, including Gilles Peterson, also playing sets.

As well as the music there will be a host of other attractions, with four children's activity areas, an arts trail including work by Brian Eno, and a body-and-soul area offering alternative treatments from qualified therapists.

Other attractions include the burlesque performance area Lost Vagueness - which has previously appeared at Glastonbury Festival - hosting mock weddings and comedy boxing matches among other entertainment.

Festival manager Fiona Stewart said she expected the event to sellout and that there had been staggered ticket sales to cope with demand due to Glastonbury Festival not running this year.

She added: "The festival's incredibly varied. I don't think there's another event in the country as diverse as the Big Chill.

"We've got a whole range of arts, burlesque theatre in two areas and all sorts of music from well-known artists and alternative acts to old favourites."

Tickets for the event cost £120 for adults, £60 for 13-15 year-olds (under-12s go in free) and are available by visiting: www.bigchill.net or by calling 08700 600 100.