A RISING star of the music world will be helping Worcester welcome the Olympic flame to the Faithful City.

Labrinth has today been announced as one of the acts who will be performing at the Olympic torch relay evening celebrations which will be held at the Worcestershire County Cricket Ground on Thursday, May 24.

The 23-year-old producer, singer and writer, who is appearing as part of Coca-Cola’s sponsorship of the London 2012 games, was set to entertain revellers at Tramps night club, Worcester, earlier this year, but had to cancel twice due to his filming and promotional commitments.

Now, Worcester will have a third bite of the cherry as Labrinth shares the stage alongside a 1,000-strong choir, acrobats and dancers for a party to remember at the New Road ground.

Labrinth said: “London 2012 is nearly here and I’m so hyped to be helping Coke bring music to so many places across the UK, including Worcester.

“Everyone needs to get involved and celebrate the amazing young people running with the Olympic flame. It’s going be mad fun.”

James Williams, director for the Olympic torch relay at Coca-Cola, said: “We know that music brings people together in celebration and as a presenting partner of the Olympic torch relay we have a fantastic opportunity to extend the magic and excitement of London 2012 to every corner of the UK.

“We are taking some of the nation’s most exciting musical talent on the road with the aim of getting Worcester, as well as the rest of the country, moving to the beat in celebration.

“We’re encouraging everyone to attend their nearest evening celebration – and the spectacular finale in London’s Hyde Park – to soak up the incredible atmosphere as the UK prepares to host the Olympic Games.”

There were 7,762 applications for tickets to the evening celebrations, with hopeful bidders having the option to request up to eight tickets for family and friends.

Allocation has already been made for 6,500 tickets and the first collections took place on Saturday.

About 500 tickets have been set aside for each of the main sponsors – Coca- Cola, Samsung and Lloyds TSB – while 180 tickets are reserved for minor sponsors and 100 for members of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games.

The choir and dancers make up the remaining 1,200 places of the total 10,000 capacity.

While the initial ballot has now closed, people can still apply to be part of a waiting list for returned tickets.

Georgia Smith, head of VisitWorcester, said: “It’s great news that Labrinth is joining the bill of this fantastic celebration of the Olympic flame’s arrival in Worcester.

“We’re busy allocating the tickets for the evening celebration after an overwhelming response from the public – but it’s still possible to join the waiting list by heading to visitworcester.com/torch.”