CHART-topping band UB40 is coming to Worcester next year for a very special gig at the city’s racecourse

Although the concert at Pitchcroft is not until Saturday, June 13, 2020, tickets are going on sale this Friday, December 6.

Audiences will have the chance to enjoy an afternoon of racing at one of the UK’s leading courses, with a full UB40 set in the evening.

The racing-and-concert day follows the success of a similar event held in August 2015, headlined by Manchester rockers James.

A spokesman said: “Distilling a potent mix of progressive attitudes, a diverse ethnic make-up, and pure pop panache, UB40 has sealed its status as one of the best-loved British bands of all time.

“There are loads of great things to do in Worcester next summer, and this has certainly made the list. Right in the city centre, you can make a full day of it, with thrilling racing and entertainment throughout the day, before listening to the upbeat reggae sounds of UB40 live in the superb surroundings of Worcester.”

Since its founding in Birmingham in 1978, the reggae-pop band has scored more than 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart and achieved considerable international success with over 100 million record sales worldwide.

The band’s first album, Signing Off went to number two in the UK and stayed on the nation’s album charts for 72 weeks.

Later, the original band split up after a row between founding brothers Robin and Ali Campbell. This version of the band is led by Robin Campbell.In its career, the band has been named the Best British Group at the Brit Awards, earned nominations for Best Reggae Album four times at the Grammys,

In the 1980s, the band spent 214 weeks on the UK singles charts over the decade, a record that it shares with Madness.

Among the band’s numerous hits are Food For Thought, Red Red Wine, Can’t Help Falling in Love, I Got You Babe, One In Ten, and Many Rivers To Cross.

Tickets are available from Ticketmaster, at £30 for adults, and £25 for under 18s, with under-fives getting in free.