FESTIVAL fever is set to come to Preston next month to mark a shift in attitudes among the town's youth.

Tickets have already gone on sale for the open-air event on Saturday, July 8, on the town's Flag Market.

The event has been organised to celebrate the youth of Preston and its twin towns across Europe.

Festival organisers say their aim is to pull down the barriers between nations.

Attending the festival will be men and women from Preston's European twin towns -- Almelo in Holland, Kalisz in Poland, Nimes in France and Recklinghausen in Germany.

The impressive line-up kicks off at 10am with top girl-band TKO who are widely tipped for mainstream success.

Also featuring throughout the day will be live indie and rock bands including local hip-hop band Dangerous Minds (pictured), Tree House 3, Hyper Jax and soul-divas Feelgood Factor. The music will gradually build to a climax with high-profile Radio 1 dance DJ Dave Seaman.

Tickets for the concert cost £6 and all proceeds go to Chorley's Derian House Children's Hospice. They are available from the Guildhall Box Office on 258858. For other outlets ring 225460

Carl Smith, lead singer for Dangerous Minds, who are credited with supporting rapper Coolio and Another Level, said: "We have been involved in quite a few things with local bands around Preston, so the organisers got in touch with us to ask if we would support them in what they are doing.

"The event itself should be really great, but I suppose it will all rest on the great British weather!"