Former stars of The Beautiful South, Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott, are the first names to be announced for next year’s Forest Live concerts in Kent.

The pair’s latest album Crooked Calypso charted at No.2, making it their highest release as a duo to date following on from two further top 5 albums.

They will play Bedgebury Pinetum in Goudhurst on Saturday, June 16.

Former frontman with Hull-based 80s indie band The Housemartins, Paul Heaton, is one of the UK’s most successful songwriters with some 10 million album sales under his belt.

The Housemartins are best known for their single Happy Hour and No.1 acapella Isley Bros cover Caravan of Love. In 1988 he went on to form The Beautiful South, releasing 10 successful albums.

Jacqui Abbott was lead vocalist with The Beautiful South from 1994 to 2000, singing on many of their signature hits including Rotterdam, Perfect 10, Don’t Marry Her and Dream A Little Dream.

The Forest Live gigs will see them play material from their albums as a duo and songs from The Beautiful South and the Housemartins.

Also announced for the same date at the Weald location is Billy Bragg.

Last year’s concerts saw Rick Astley and Elbow perform to thousands.

Forest Live is put on by the Forestry Commission and comes to the pinetum at Goudhurst each summer.

The concerts are renowned for their informal and relaxed atmosphere set to a spectacular forest backdrop, with income generated from ticket sales helping to look after the nation’s forests sustainably.

Tickets at £33.50 go on sale on Friday, October 20 at 9am. To book call the box office on 03000 680400, or buy at forestry.gov.uk/music