Richie Anderson in Preston for Radio 2 in the Park launch

BBC Radio 2’s annual live music event, Radio 2 in the Park, will take place this year in Moor Park in Preston on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September.

This news was revealed this morning by Gaby Roslin, who is sitting in for Zoe Ball on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show.

Following the announcement, Richie Anderson, who was in Preston, invited listeners to get to the Deepdale Stadium as soon as possible to be in with a chance of getting two tickets to the event.

A little later, he then announced on air that the 40 people who had made their way to the stadium would each be getting a pair of tickets!

Preston hosted BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in 2007, and last year Radio 2 in the Park was held in Victoria Park in Leicester featuring headliners Tears for Fears and Kylie Minogue, who performed her world exclusive full concert performance for the first time in four years.

The full artist line-up for this year’s Radio 2 in the Park will be revealed in early June, and tickets will go on sale shortly after.

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2 says: “I’m delighted that this year’s Radio 2 in the Park will take place in Preston. Following last year’s epic extravaganza in Leicester, we can’t wait to head north with our fantastic family of Radio 2 presenters, as well as some of the most loved music artists on the planet, to party with the good people of Lancashire! ”

Adrian Phillips, Chief Executive at Preston City Council says: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome the BBC to Preston with Radio 2’s flagship live music event, Radio 2 In the Park.

“As this year’s host city, we’re really excited to be staging two jam-packed days, full of incredible live performances from some of the music world’s biggest stars. This is a brilliant coup for Preston and will be a huge boost for the city.

“We can’t wait to hear who the line-up is for this year and to welcome thousands of Radio 2 listeners to proud Preston!”