Weller to Play on the Isle of Wight!

Paul Weller and Girls Aloud are to headline two concerts at Osborne House, Queen Victoria's Isle of Wight home.

Isle of Wight Festival organiser John Giddings is behind the shows, in the grounds of one of the island's most popular tourist attractions.

"It's great to be involved with developing the island's music scene, especially at one of the most beautiful locations in the country," he said.

Tickets for the shows, on 26 and 27 July, go on sale on Monday.

Weller, who played the Isle of Wight Festival in 2003, said he was "very much looking forward" to returning on 26 July. Girls Aloud will play the following evening.

'Palace by the sea'

As well as June's Isle of Wight Festival at Seaclose Park, the island also plays host to Bestival, which has been put on by Radio 1 DJ Rob Da Bank each September at Robin Hill country park.

Known as Queen Victoria's "palace by the sea", Osborne House is now run by English Heritage.

"We're thrilled to be hosting such an exciting line-up," said its head of visitor operations, Dean Pascall.

"Staging concerts in the grounds of important historic sites like Osborne House is a very immediate way of engaging people with their heritage as well as attracting a diverse audience," he added.

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