Quarry date for top soul acts

Two of Britain's top soul artists Beverley Knight and Lemar will headline the second night of this summer's picnic-style concerts in Shrewsbury.

The pair will perform in The Quarry on July 14, the day after Jools Holland kicks off a weekend of music with special guest Lulu at a Shropshire Star sponsored concert.

Jazz greats Kenny Ball, George Melly and Humphrey Lyttelton will then round off the live action on July 15 with a Giants of Jazz show event.

Chris Bailey, IML Concerts Event Manager, said: "We hope that the people of Shropshire will enjoy the line-up we have planned for 2007."

Wolverhampton-born Beverley Knight, who was recently made an MBE, released Voice - The Best of Beverley Knight last year after more than a decade as Britain's Soul Queen.

Lemar burst on to the scene after appearing on BBC reality show Fame Academy in 2002. His second single Dance With U reached number two and his debut album Dedicated was released late in 2003.

The Brit award winner appeared on Band Aid 20's Do They Know It's Christmas and enjoyed success with his second album The Truth About Love, which peaked at number three.