BLACKBURN'S Arts in the Park festival kicks off on Saturday when one of Britain's best-loved entertainers takes to the stage.

TV host, artist, author and recording star Rolf Harris, dubbed the 'Wizard of Aussie' by his legions of adoring fans, headlines the event.

After he rocked Glastonbury, Europe's largest outdoor music festival, two years ago, Rolf's appearance at Witton Country Park is a coup for Blackburn with Darwen Council. Rolf's hits include Two Little Boys, a No.1 in 1969, Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport, Sun Arise and cover versions of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody and Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven.

Local band Maupa, from Clayton-le-Moors, fresh from winning a music contest in the south of France, where they shared a bill with big-name acts including Craig David, are also due to play the free annual festival.

Classical music fans will also be given a treat at the event, moved from Corporation Park to allow more people to attend. Sunday's classical concert by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra is set to be rounded off by a favourite that was missed off the play list last year.

Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March Number One, also known as Land of Hope and Glory, was reinstated after outraged flag-waving fans made a big noise about it being left out.

A festival fairground is also lined up and outdoor entertainment planned. There will be performances from Mugenkyo, a Taiko Japanese drumming band and Samba band Poco Loco.

Coun Dorothy Walsh, the council's executive member for leisure and culture, said: "It's going to be a fantastic event. Rolf Harris will be a very good attraction and pull in people of all ages.

"He's an all-rounder everyone likes. Hopefully we will have the good weather to make it even better."