DEACON Blue are to play Dalby Forest, near Pickering, on June 28 as the third signing for the Forestry Commission’s summer of concerts in the North Yorkshire woodland.

English singer-songwriter James Blunt and the Modfather, Paul Weller, are confirmed already for Forest Live shows on June 26 and 27 respectively.

Deacon Blue will be taking part in this concert series for the first time, performing three shows – Thetford Forest and Westonbirt Arboretum in July are the others – in their only English headline appearances of the summer.

Ricky Ross, the Scottish group’s lead singer, said: “This is a new adventure for the band. We’re looking forward to bringing the full Deacon Blue live experience to these unique locations and we really hope you can join us.”

Deacon Blue formed in Glasgow in 1985, taking their name from the Steely Dan song Deacon Blues. Fronted by Ross and fellow singer Lorraine McIntosh, they have released such albums as 1987’s Raintown, 1989’s When The World Knows Your Name, 1990’s Ooh Las Vegas, 1991’s Fellow Hoodlums, 1993’s Whatever You Say, Say Nothing and 1999’s Walking Back Home.

Since the Millennium, they have issued 2001’s Homesick and 2012’s The Hipsters, which made the Top 20 on their first studio album in 11 years.

Through the years there have been three compilations too: 1994’s Our Town: The Greatest Hits, 2001’s The Very Best Of Deacon Blue and 2006’s Singles.

Those singles include ‘Real Gone Kid, When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring)?, Chocolate Girl, Wages Day, Fergus Sings The Blues, Twist And Shout, Your Town and Dignity.

Deacon Blue last played a North Yorkshire gig at York Barbican in September 2013 and appeared at the Grand Opera House, York, in June 2011.

Proceeds from the Blunt, Weller and Deacon Blue open-air concerts will go towards improving and conserving the woodland for people and wildlife alike.

Deacon Blue tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday at £47.50, including booking fee, on 03000 680400 or online at forestry.gov.uk/music