HOT on the heels of their headline gig in Swindon earlier this autumn, The Script have announced they will be returning to the region as part of Forest Live next summer.

Dublin’s finest announced the dates for their 2018 appearances as part of Forest Live, the summer concert series organised by the Forestry Commission.

This will see them take to the stage at Westonbirt Arboretum near Tetbury on Thursday, June 14, 2018. A week earlier they will perform their first gig of the year with Forest Live at Thetford Forest near Brandon in Suffolk on Thursday, June 7.

Commenting on the dates, Danny O'Donoghue for The Script said, “We love performing as part of Forest Live. It will be our fourth trip to Thetford Forest and we look forward to making our debut at Westonbirt Arboretum. We hope you can join us to rock in this unique atmosphere.”

The band are the second act to be announced for the 2018 season, after Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott were announced earlier in the autumn as headlining the Friday night stage,

The Script have sold more than 29 million records. Their latest release, Freedom Child, topped the UK Official Albums Chart and scored the band their fourth UK No 1 album.

Lead single Rain picked up phenomenal radio airplay and the video has been viewed more than 24 million times.

This success replicates earlier outings with albums such as The Script, Science and Faith, and No Sound Without Silence and anthemic pop/rock singles including We Cry, The Man Who Can’t Be Moved, For The First Time, Hall Of Fame (featuring will.i.am) and Superheroes.

The Irish three-piece are also one of the biggest live acts, having sold more than 1.4 million tickets across 203 headline shows.

Forest Live is a major live music series, managed by the Forestry Commission. Held annually in seven forest locations across the country, more than 1.5 million people have attended a gig in the programme’s 17-year history.

A spokesman for the Forestry Commission said: "With everything required for a great night out, including good food and bar, the concerts are renowned for their informal and relaxed atmosphere set to a spectacular forest backdrop. Income generated from ticket sales helps look after the nation’s forests sustainably, for people to enjoy and wildlife to thrive.

The Script plus guests will take to the stage at Westonbirt Arboretum on Thursday, June 14. Tickets costing £42.50 (plus £4.75 booking fee) go on sale at 9am Friday from the Forestry Commission box office. Call 03000 680400, or buy online at www.forestry.gov.uk/music