THOUSANDS of festival fans were expected at Knavesmire today and tomorrow for York's first two-day open air music event.

AIR2003, organised by York Arts Forum and City of York Council, was due to take place at Bustardthorpe Field from 1.40pm.

The event offers festival-goers local, national, and international music acts and art activities, a market, food village, beer tent and overnight camping.

Highlights today include leading York-band Colour of Fire, due on at 8.15pm, and The Yards, tackling the all important festival closing slot from 9.45pm.

Eighties revivalists will be looking forward to today's set by evergreen ska outfit Bad Manners, fronted by the unmistakeable Buster Bloodvessel.

Sets tomorrow include a show from ever popular party band Huge, at 6.30pm.

But the festival's undisputed top slot is tomorrow's closing set from legendary band The Animals, at 9.15pm

Now known as The Animals and Friends, the band is turning out despite the recent death of keyboard player Dave Rowberry.

Among the band's line up will be founder member John Steel, on drums, and Kinks bass player Jim Rodford.

Weather forecasters advised taking a waterproof, but ruled out a major downpour.

A PA weather spokeswoman said: "Both days will be quite cloudy with sunny spells and scattered showers. Temperatures will be about 20 Celsius (68 Fahrenheit)."

Day admission to AIR2003 is £12, or £6 for under-14s. Weekend tickets cost £22 and £11, and a weekend ticket with camping is £25.

For more details, phone 01904 656688 or log on to www.yaf.org.uk.

Updated: 12:31 Saturday, July 26, 2003