THIS year’s Daily Echo-backed Party in the Park festival will be headlined by Notting Hill Carnival stalwart DJ Norman Jay, it has been confirmed.

The launch party for the eagerly-anticipated Party in the Park festival took place on Thursday.

Local business owners, sponsors, organisers and special guests mingled at the Brit pub, just a few hundred yards from Poole’s Ashley Cross Green – which will host the two-day event next month.

The festival has fast become a summer favourite, attracting thousands of revellers from all walks of life.

Set to run over the bank holiday weekend, on August 23 & 24, this year’s festival will be headlined by DJ Norman Jay and Soul II Soul funding member DJ Jazzie B on both days.

Organiser Jane Jones said: “Headliners are a step away from the norm, but it’s carnival time folks and this year we have pushed the boat out.

“We’ve got the big names, the local DJs and bands and the kid’s zone is bigger and better than ever – and one or two surprises to be announced soon.”

Such is their commitment to Party in the Park, DJ Norman and Jazzie B are swapping west London for Poole, as the Ashley Cross event runs the same day as the Notting Hill Carnival.

DJ Norman is has been one of the biggest crowd pullers at Notting Hill for years.

This year’s event also supports the Lewis-Manning Hospice, Crichel Mount Road, Evening Hill, and offers free specialist palliative nursing care to around 650 local people living with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.

Tickets: £6 early bird per day. VIP ticket (including a glass of bubbly): £20. Weekend VIP ticket: £36.

Children under 12 free with paying adult or £3 for extra tickets per child.

Visit websites partyintheparkpoole.com or lighthousepoole.co.uk for tickets.