SUPERSTAR singer Sir Tom Jones says it will be “his pleasure” to sing at this year’s Larmer Tree Festival.

Sir Tom, who has sold more than 100 million records during a career spanning more than 50 years, added that he’s “heard great things about Larmer Tree Festival” and that it “looks like a wonderful setting for a great night of good music”.

Sir Tom, who is currently appearing as a vocal coach on the hit BBC1 show The Voice, usually plays to audiences of tens of thousands of people at huge stadiums so this will be a rare chance to see him at a smaller venue.

Signing the star has been a huge coup for organisers of the Larmer Tree Festival, which has taken place at the Larmer Tree Gardens near Salisbury for the last 24 years.

“This basically started as a small summer party for our friends,” said co-director Julia Safe. “We never had any idea it would grow in |this way and that one day |we would be signing Tom Jones.

“We have thought for some years that he would be perfect for Larmer Tree. “We came close to signing him last year but it fell through, so when everything finally came together this time there was an incredible sense of excitement and we were jumping for joy in the office.”

The Journal is the first to break the news that Sir Tom will be appearing at the festival and Larmer Tree staff were sworn to secrecy before today’s ticket launch.

“It has been so hard not telling everyone as this is such exciting news,” added Ms Safe.

“We know ticket sales are going to be busy and we can’t wait to welcome Tom Jones. Who could think of a more beautiful place to hear his music?”

Sir Tom has won a host of awards during his long career including a Grammy for Best New Artist in 1966 and a Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music in 2003.

He has sung for former US President Bill Clinton and Her Majesty the Queen at her Diamond Jubilee concert, and appeared at the Concert for Diana in 1997 at Wembley Stadium.

His hits include It’s Not Unusual, Delilah and What’s New Pussycat? and he has also collaborated with a huge number of other artists including Larmer Tree regular Jools Holland.

Further announcements about the rest of the Larmer Tree Festival line-up will be made in the coming weeks and weekend tickets are already selling well. This year’s festival runs from July 16 to 20.

For tickets visit larmertreefestival.co.uk/tickets or call 02380 711820.