IAN van Dahl, Sonique, Dave Pearce and Boy George are just some of the big names who will be taking part in Wales's largest

outdoor festival.

Around 30,000 people are expected to descend on Escape Into The Park 2002 when the dance festival takes place at the end of July.

This year's event - the third - is the most ambitious ever, with a main stage and five arenas, plus bars, fairground rides, market stalls and on-site catering serving worldwide cuisine.

It will run from noon until 11pm on Saturday, July 27, in Singleton Park, Swansea, and will boast state-of-the-art lasers never seen before in Wales.

"We're very excited," said Escape's Jonathan Wignall.

"Last year, we had people travelling from as far away as Scotland and Ireland. This year we are expecting a larger crowd and have worked on opening up and expanding the site to accommodate this."

Belgian band Ian van Dahl are arguably one of the most successful dance acts of the last 24 months - and it's no accident that they're headlining the event because, according to Radio 1 DJ Dave Pearce, their success all started on the dance floors of Welsh superclub Escape, which is promoting it.

Castles In The Sky, which sold 400,000 copies last year, was first tested out on the masses by Pearce in the Swansea club and went down so well that he signed the group to his label.

"I remember the night Dave Pearce played the tune and the crowd went wild," said Wignall.

"We have a fantastically educated crowd here and they know what they like and what they don't like.

"Ian van Dahl has a special place in our hearts here in Swansea because of this and we're all very excited about them playing on the main stage."

And the band are equally excited to be there.

"I can't wait to play Escape Into The Park," says Ian van Dahl frontwoman Annemie Coenen. "Our Welsh fans are very loyal and it's a very special event."

Ian van Dahl comprises Annemie and her two dancers, Diana Dander and Jeanine Tiemissen.

"The name came about cos it's a nickname I've had for years," says Annemie. "It's also handy because no-one can pronounce Annemie outside Belgium!"

Born into a musical family, Annemie soon discovered she had a voice, and from the age of seven started winning numerous singing competitions.

However, it wasn't until she was 21 that she teamed up with top Belgian producers Christophe Chantzis and Eric Vanspauwen to pen the hit tune Castles In The Sky.

Written about the break-up of a relationship, it was the surprise smash hit of last summer, entering the Top 10 at number five in July.

"It's a very personal record for me, but I still never expected it to be as big as this in the UK," says

23-year-old Annemie .

"We can't believe we've sold more records than Geri Halliwell!"

Such was the enthusiasm for the tune in America that the act was invited to perform at New York clubbing institutions the Sound Factory, DNA and Sound Garden.

These live shows went down a storm, helping seal America's love affair with trance, and leading to the massive success of the track in the UK.

The full Escape into the Park line-up is as follows:

n Main stage: Sonique, Dave Pearce, Boy George, Guy Ornadel, Ian van Dahl, Paul Bleasdale, Alex P, Mario Piu, Luke Neville, Danny Slade and Big Al.

n Progressive Arena: Sasha, Darren Emerson, Steve Lawler, Hybrid, Jan Carbon, Richard Hitchell and Ian Dungey will be on the bill.

n US House and Garage arena: Graeme Park, Norman Jay, Brandon Block, Bern, CN Williams, Craig Bartlett, Dave Jones, Amos Nelson, John Lenney Jnr, Tubby C and Gareth Hopkins in the .

n Hard Dance Arena: BK, Nick Sentience, Ed Real, Knuckleheadz, Phil Reynolds, K90, Steve Lomas, Cally & Juice, Brian M and Escher & Gazza J.

n Urban Arena: Pay As U Go Cartell, Jason Kaye, Dub Matt & MC Chico, Krissy S & Mr Mello'D, Wayne Irie & MC Footy, Blade & Che B2B, MC's No23 & Gatekeeper and MC Junior Blind, DJ Hype, Nicky Blackmarket, Enzo, Rayzor, MC Rascal, MC Redeye.

n Summer Lounge VIP Arena: Mike Herdman, Dave Draig-Goch, Dave 'Smiley' Holness, John Steffanick, Dave Lewis.

Tickets cost £22.50 each. For information, phone 0906 609 2112. For tickets phone 01792 455455.