Superstar diva Katherine Jenkins OBE has joined Boyzone in announcing that she will perform in Thetford Forest this summer.

The Welsh classical singer will bring her mezzo-soprano to High Lodge on July 12 as part of the Forestry Commission's Forest Live concert calendar.

A prolific crossover artist, Ms Jenkins signed the biggest ever recording contract for a classical singer in 2003 and has since become the face of mainstream classical music.

She said she was thrilled to be returning to Thetford, having played High Lodge in 2008.

'I thoroughly enjoyed my forest debut which was a little while ago now so I am delighted to be returning to Thetford Forest again in the summer. I hope to see everyone there,' she said.

Ms Jenkins will appear with the National Symphony Orchestra and conductor Anthony Inglis.

Her stratospheric rise has led to her nine studio albums selling more than seven million copies and going platinum worldwide.

She has twice won the Classical Brit Award's Album of the Year prize and was awarded the OBE in the 2014 New Year's Honours List for services to music and charity.

She has recently re-signed with Decca Records which will see her release a new album this autumn.

Tickets are priced at £39.60 (including booking fee) and go on sale at 9am on Friday, January 31. They can be bought from the Forestry Commission box office on 03000 680400 or online at www.forestry.gov.uk/music

Irish popsters Boyzone announced earlier this month that they would be playing the forest the day before Ms Jenkins, on July 11.