ORGANISERS claim that music-lovers and party people are turning to lakeside concerts to beat the recession blues in Dorchester this summer.

Sue Cull, one of the new owners of the All New Lakeside Magic festival, says four nights of music in the grounds of Kingston Maurward are set to raise the spirits of people affected by the economic downturn.

The tradition of lakeside concerts had been established by Court Productions, which hit the financial buffers last year after leaving some performers unpaid.

The concerts are being presented this year by a new company headed by organisers Mrs Cull and photographer Alan McNamee with two other investors.

Mrs Cull said: “We’ve already sold more than 1,000 tickets for one night alone. It’s as if people are looking for something they can really enjoy and afford so they can get away from all the news of recession.

“And we’ve looked back at previous years and found that cold winters are followed by good sunny summers – so that’s what we’re expecting this year.

“We’re very positive about 2009. We’re going to create a party atmosphere and a feeling of celebration.”

The concerts are being held at the lakeside setting at Kingston Maurward in July with each one ending in a fireworks display.

The four nights of tribute concerts start on July 9 with Madness tribute One Step Behind, followed by Bon Giovi, the Bryan Adams Experience, Abba 2 and round off with The ELO Experience on July 12.