Bonkers! Dizzee Rascal to headline Shrewsbury Fields Forever festival

He will take to the stage in the town's Quarry – the night before the Happy Mondays headline on the Saturday.

Dizzee will be supported on the main stage by another rapper Wretch 32, local musician Trademark Blud and three more guests still to be announced.

The music festival, which will run from July 15 to 17, is now in its fifth year.

The event attracted more than 8,000 people each day to its previous event in 2014.

Organisers say the announcement of The Happy Mondays has led to unprecedented early ticket sales.

Festival director Dene Edwards said: "We are very excited to be welcoming Dizzee Rascal to the festival.

"His place in recent music industry history is assured as one of the top and most influential artists in the past decade. His addition further cements what the festival is all about, a place where everyone of all ages and tastes can find something they like be it a legendary indie band, a TV comedian or a current hip hop star."

Dizzee, whose hits include Bonkers, Bassline Junkie and Fix Up Look Sharp, has performed several times in the region before, most notably at V Festival at Weston Park in 2009 and 2011.

Shrewsbury Fields Forever, which took a break last year, will take over the Quarry for three days and camping facilities will be provided on the town centre site.

There will be more than 100 acts on multiple music stages, with art and comedy tents.

The Friday night will see the return of the dance tent, this year hosted by international DJ Sonny Wharton who originated from Shropshire. Mr Edwards said many top international, classic and breakthrough artists are still to be announced.

He has previously stated his desire to make the festival "bigger and better" than before.

The festival, which attracted more than 16,000 people in 2014, had taken place at the West Mid Showground from 2011.

But a contractual dispute led the venue's owners to say they would no longer host the event, and last year's had to be cancelled.