Rita revealed for Proms

Rita Ora has been announced as the headline act for the third night of Lytham Proms

Lytham Proms organisers finally secured the chart-topping artist just hours before the Brit Awards ceremony which is expected to send her career to stratospheric heights.

The 22-year-old singer, who has had three number ones, including Hot Right Now, How We Do and R.I.P., as well as the smash-hit debut album, Ora, will perform on Sunday, August 4.

It is a significant departure from the pop-oriented choice of Olly Murs last year, as drum and bass star Rita is joined on stage by Brighton’s Conor Maynard, dubbed the UK’s ‘Justin Bieber’ and pop girl band sensation Stooshe.

Kicking off the night will be the winner of Fylde’s Got Talent.

Lytham Proms organiser Peter Taylor said: “It’s been a really tough choice to follow Olly Murs from 2012.

“However, we wanted to give our audience something more edgy this year.

“The Festival is beginning to develop a name for its diverse range of music styles.

“I wanted to bring something more contemporary and different, rather than straightforward ‘pop’. Hopefully we will put on a show to remember.

“We are thrilled that an artist like Rita Ora, who is at the top of her game right now decided to play our festival, as we have had a lot of competition from the larger more established festivals.

“This show is certainly going to rock the green!”

A host of 80s stars, including Jason Donovan and Tony Hadley, will perform on the Friday night of the three day festival, followed by ‘The Voice’ Russell Watson, who sings on the traditional Proms Saturday night, supported by Jonathan and Charlotte of Britain’s Got Talent fame.

Andrew Fallow, chairman of the Lytham Business Partnership, said: “It’s really good news for Lytham. We have got a great line-up for the three days and some really big names.

“It’s going to be aimed at a wide range of music groups and ages, encouraging plenty of people to come. It sounds like a great coup – I am not sure how Cuffe and Taylor manage to get such big acts.

“Lytham Proms is one of the things that is helping to put the town on the map, not to mention the Wartime Weekend, Lytham in Bloom, Lytham Club Day and Park View 4U.

“We are punching above our weight. I am sure businesses in Lytham will be delighted by this news. Hopefully all the cafes, bars, restaurants and shops will be able to open later, and of course there will be a knock-on effect for the hotels in the town.”

Coun David Eaves, leader of Fylde Council said there will be huge interest in the Fylde for the artists.

He added: “It’s obviously delightful that we are able to attract an artist of this calibre to Lytham to add to the names signed already for Lytham Proms.

“It’s a tremendous coup for Fylde and Lytham as the eyes of the world focus on us for that weekend.”

Tickets for the concert go on sale on Friday from 9am. For more information visit www.lythamproms.co.uk.