AN ambitious new summer festival in the North Tyne has secured a successful singer and songwriter as its headline act.

Alistair Griffin will headline Mestival at Hesleyside near Bellingham on Saturday, July 2.

Designed with families in mind, the event promises a varied programme of live music, children’s activities, locally-sourced food and drink, craft exhibitors, a 10K obstacle race, and a junior run.

Griffin will lead the live music line-up, which will showcase a range of North-East acts.

North-East native Alistair Griffin first came to prominence on the BBC’s Fame Academy where he was championed by Bee Gee Robin Gibb, who described him as a unique talent.

The duo had a top 10 hit and went on to tour Europe and compose new music together.

Griffin followed up that early success by writing a sequence of tracks that have since captured the public imagination.

Time and again, Alistair Griffin’s music has been used by global media as the soundtrack to iconic sporting events. His track Just Drive became an instant hit with Formula One fans.

Championed by both Jake Humphrey and Chris Evans, it has attracted more than three million YouTube views to date and is the current theme tune on Sky Sports F1.

From Andy Murray winning Wimbledon to the International Olympic Committee’s favourite moments, tracks by Griffin have been used to showcase some of the biggest moments in sport in recent years.

He is currently writing, recording and performing and will be announcing a UK tour for late 2016.

Mestival is being organised by North-East athletics legend Steve Cram and Hesleyside owners William and Anna Charlton, working with Northumberland National Park and backed by Northumberland Tourism.

The event will be a full day’s celebration of the sights, sounds and tastes of the North-East taking place in the historic setting of Hesleyside Hall near Bellingham, home of the Charlton family since 1343, and with grounds that were landscaped by Capability Brown.

Steve Cram said: “Mestival will be a fantastic summer day out for the whole family and it’s going to introduce more people to a really beautiful part of Northumberland. We’re going to line up some brilliant attractions throughout the North-East and the live music will be one of the highlights in such a beautiful setting.

“For sports fans, including me, Alistair’s music is starting to become our major soundtrack and we’re delighted he will be headlining the main stage.”

Alistair added: “I’m really looking forward to headlining Mestival this summer, and being part of this brand new event for the North-East. The location looks stunning and there are lots of fantastic activities to get involved in. I am delighted to be involved.”

For more information about Mestival and book places at the event, visit www.mestival.co.uk or email info@mestival.co.uk and follow @runmestival on Twitter for regular updates. To find out more about Hesleyside, visit www.hesleysidehall.co.uk