A RUSSIAN rock music fan has travelled thousands of miles to watch his favourite band.

Denis Burov has made the 2,034-mile journey from Moscow to this weekend’s Willowman Festival, in Knayton, near Thirsk, to see idols Space headline.

The alternative Liverpool rock band had a string of hits in the late 1990s, including Female of the Species and The Ballad of Tom Jones, before reforming in 2011.

He said: “Space was one of my favourite bands in late 90s. When I heard they had reformed I bought my festival tickets and flight tickets and here I am."

The festival, in its fourth year, has previously attracted music lovers from across the British Isles, but this year the summer solstice event is attracting an audience much further afield.

Festival director Steve Williams said: “After a recent check of our online ticket sales we noticed that we had sold weekend passes to people in Thailand and Singapore, as well as Denis coming from Russia.

“These far flung ticket sales demonstrate what a strong line-up we have booked for this year.”

Pupils from Northallerton College’s art department have made musical instruments from cardboard and chicken wire as part of a project aimed to create closer links between local community and the festival.

Other highlights of the festival at Hillside Rural Activities Park, which starts tomorrow (Thursday, June 19) and runs until Sunday, includes The Wonder Stuff, New Model Army and The Orb Soundsystem.

For details, visit thewillowmanfestival.co.uk. Tickets are available on site.