Atomic Kitten, Louise and Damage will be headlining a town's first pop music festival.

More than 20,000 are expected to flock to Eastbourne for KidsAid 2001 in association with The Argus.

Organisers are hoping to raise thousands of pounds for children's charities and good causes through the Variety Club of Great Britain.

Other pop acts taking part include East 17 front man Brian Harvey, Tymes 4, Romina from Artful Dodger, Black Legend/Commonwealth, Kele Le Roc and Rude Bwoy.

Former Hollyoaks star Gary Lucy will be hosting the show on Saturday, August 25, and more acts are expected to be added to the final line up.

Ann Hamilton, chairwoman of the East Sussex region of the Variety Club, said the concert was the biggest event ever organised by the charity in the area.

She said: "KidsAid 2001 should be a day to remember which will also raise much-needed money for local causes.

"There is still a great deal of work to do but we will be announcing more and more names as the days go on and we will have a stunning line-up."

The 22-acre Saffrons Park in Compton Place Road, is expected to be packed on the day and Saffrons chairman Andrew Price thinks the event will be good for the sports club as well.

He said: "The event will be the largest of its kind in Eastbourne. It will help the Saffrons, which will make some profit. It is so nice that an event for young people is being put on in Eastbourne. The Saffrons was considered to be the most suitable place because of its central location and its size."

The event will be run by a professional outside team with a great deal of experience in organising festivals.

The club house and pavilion will be closed to the public and made into headquarters for administration staff and stewards.

Tickets for the event, which will run from 12pm to 6pm (gates open at 10am) cost £20 and can be bought by calling the KidsAid hotline 0871 8719977 or calling into Argus offices from next week.