THIS is the field where international star Daniel O'Donnell is to appear at a village fete on August 27.

Organisers of the small country fair in Much Hoole are over the moon after bagging the celebrity as the main attraction.

A far cry from thousand-seater stadiums, the Irish crowd puller will meet fans and hopefully perform a few favourites at the gala at Goose Green Farm.

Chairman of the fair, Geoff Whalley, was ecstatic when Daniel agreed to come: "This is a real coup for the show and will make it the biggest event in the history of Much Hoole."

Having wooed audiences all around the world with his Irish charm, dashing looks and velvet voice, many might be surprised at Daniel's decision to come to the show.

But Geoff let on that he and his wife are actually good friends with the singer, having followed his career for a decade and a half. He said: "We have seen him three or four times a year for the past 15 years. Part of his appeal is that he waits after almost every concert and meets all his fans.

"About ten years ago, when we found out our daughter Andrea had cancer, he heard about it because we help with fund-raising for a charity orphanage he set up in Romania.

"Daniel invited us for a drink after a show and we have been firm friends ever since."

Geoff confessed that he and his wife Anne have been begging Daniel to come to the fair for years, instead settling for such stars as Ken Dodd, Timmy Mallett, and a pre-Royle Family Ricky Tomlinson.

Their persistence has finally paid off. Geoff said: "He has even put in his newsletter that he can't stay around in Bournemouth after a show on Sunday night because he has to make his way up here for the fair on the Monday.

"Me and Anne always said we would retire when we got Cliff, but I reckon this is just as good if not better. Daniel O'Donnell is a megastar and has a tremendous following in the North West."

Geoff predicted that Daniel's presence could well double the usual crowd of some 4,000 people. He said: "I think he is trying to give older fans who might not normally make it to his shows a chance to see and meet him."

As well as greeting fans and helping out with a charity auction, Geoff suspects Daniel will also give an impromptu performance, as he is bringing his lead guitarist John Staunton.

At the time of going to press, Daniel O'Donnell was filming his latest video in Ireland and was unavailable for comment.

The fair will also feature support from the Seventies group Copycats and girl group The Cornwall Sisters, a horticultural show, a funfair, vintage steam engines and much more. Some of the money raised will go towards the Daniel O'Donnell Romanian Challenge Appeal, an orphanage set up by Daniel for Romanian children.

The Much Hoole Country Fair takes place on Bank Holiday Monday August 27, from 10.30am until 5pm.

Admission is £5 adults, £3 children aged 8-14 years and free for under 7s.

Car parking will be available priced £2.