SOME of the biggest names in reggae & ska are set to descend on Sandford later this month.

Parkdean’s Sandford Holiday Park will host a three-day Specialized music festival with more than 25 bands and DJs from October 19.

Proceeds from the concert – billed as The Big One – go towards the Teenage Cancer Trust charity.

Reggae legend Dennis Bovell will MC the event, which boasts other top names such as Rico Rodriguez, Lynval Golding, Roddy Radiation, John Bradbury, Horace Panter from the Specials and Rhoda Dakar from The Bodysnatchers.

Stars of the cult mod film Quadrophenia and band members from the Specials will also be on hand mingling with the fans.

Organiser Kevin Jackson explained how Paul Williams, founder of the ‘Specialized’ project – which celebrates The Specials’ music while supporting the Teenage Cancer Trust – got in touch for an end of year tour finale.

Kevin said: “I had to convince Paul that the south coast has a massive ska following and that Parkdean would support the event which could be run over three days.

“John Waterworth, the top man at Parkdean, personally got involved and rubber-stamped the event.

“Paul and myself have already started to plan next year. Hopefully Dennis will bring some ideas to the table when we meet up at Sandford.

“We have had interest from Germany, Holland, France, Canada and the USA.”

For information, including how to get tickets, visit nuttyboys.co.uk.