HIGHCLERE Castle has unveiled the schedule for a special music festival.

The Highclere Music Festival runs from June 9 to 11, with open-air concerts set in Highclere's Capability Brown-inspired park among the same dramatic scenery that has caught the eye of film-makers the world over.

Each concert will end in a dazzling display of aerial acrobatics and a laser show.

For the opening night, Highclere has secured world superstar tenor Russell Watson, popularly known as "The People's Tenor".

Making one of only a few UK concert appearances this summer after a sell-out tour and new album earlier in the year, he will perform with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.

Special guest at this event will be Victoria Goldsmith, the Russian-born 13-year-old violin prodigy.

On June 10, Highclere presents 1960s legends The Drifters - whose line-up is directly descended from those early days and features long-term members Patrick Allan, Peter Lamarr and Rohan Delano Turney - and the Sounds of the Supremes.

With 50 hits in as many years, The Drifters are the longest-running band in pop history still performing live.

Their spectacular show has been praised both by critics and audiences and includes chart hits such as Under The Boardwalk, On Broadway, Save The Last Dance For Me and There Goes My Baby.

To open the show, the Sounds are flying in direct from Los Angeles. They are led by original Supreme band member Kaaren Ragland and are the only group of their type legally endorsed by Motown.

And on June 11, the Highclere stage will belong to Frank, Sammy and Dean, The Rat Pack - live from Las Vegas.

For one night only, the venue has secured this exuberant, smash-hit production, which has consistently attracted sell-out audiences in London's West End with classics such as New York, New York, That's Amore and Fly Me to the Moon.

A range of catering options selling hot and cold food and drink will be on sale at the event.

Highclere will also be introducing limited edition hamper and gazebo packages for the ultimate concert experience.

Guests will be waited on hand and foot by a personal butler, serving food from a specially-prepared picnic hamper, in the privacy of exclusive gazebos offering great views of the concert.

Corporate hospitality guests will enjoy the personal touch when entertained to the highest possible standard as the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon open up their home for pre-concert hospitality.

Seated in the State Dining Room, guests will savour seasonal produce from the estate, created by Highclere's in-house team under ex-Mossimann executive chef Peter Ingram, before taking front-row seats in the arena's VIP enclosure.

Tickets to the Highclere Music Festival cost £30 per evening and are available from the credit card hotline on 0870 906 3857 (booking fee applies). Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.

For hamper and gazebo packages, or corporate hospitality details, call 01923 710970.

Gates open at 6pm and each concert starts at 7.30pm.