SCOTTISH rock band Simple Minds is returning to Blickling Hall for an outdoor gig this summer.The, group fronted by Jim Kerr, appeared at the National Trust stately home in 2004 and are booked to reappear on Friday July 17 this year.

SCOTTISH rock band Simple Minds is returning to Blickling Hall for an outdoor gig this summer.

The, group fronted by Jim Kerr, appeared at the National Trust stately home in 2004 and are booked to reappear on Friday July 17 this year.

It is the latest concert to be announced at the lakeside setting, and will be the evening before a 1980s party style event featuring a string of acts including Marc Almond, ABC, Kid Creole, and the Three Degrees.

Simple Minds found chart fame in Britain and America with Don't You Forget About Me in 1985, and a follow-up UK number one with Belfast Child four years later.

They were formed from the ashes of Glasgow punk rockers Johnny and the Self Abusers in 1978, their new name drawn from lyrics in David Bowie's Jean Genie.

Their music evolved through a variety of styles from arty experimental work and synthesizer sounds through harder edged rock and into disco and pop.

They have clocked up more than 30 million sales of albums, five of which entered the UK charts at number one. Their stage performances include being one of the highlights of the Live Aid event in 1985 and the major inspiration behind a concert to mark the 70th birthday of Nelson Mandela three years later. The band also played at his 90th birthday celebrations in Hyde Park last year.

Last year they did a sell-out 30th anniversary stadium tour of the UK and mainland Europe, and released the album Graffiti Soul.

Jim Kerr, former husband of the Pretenders Chrissie Hynde, has recently been interviewed by the Mercury's sister paper the Eastern Daily Press in a feature to appear later in the year, during which he said: “We have very fond memories of playing Blickling a few years ago. It was one of the first stately home concerts we did.”

Tickets costing �37.50 + booking fee are available on the EDP ticket line 01603 772175, via www.EDP24.co.uk or in person at the company's offices at Prospect House Norwich, Yarmouth, Cromer and Lowestoft, or via the Blickling box office on 0844 800 4308.