London 2012: The Wanted to appear at Love Luton Festival

The Wanted will perform as part of the festival

Organisers of a four-day festival in Bedfordshire have started to release details of the acts who will appear at the event.

Brit Award nominated group The Wanted, will perform at Popes Meadow in Luton on 6 July.

The Love Luton 2012 Festival is a weekend of events planned to coincide with the arrival of the Olympic torch in the town.

Artistic director Rob Lee said bringing the group to Luton was "a real coup".

"We expect ticket sales to be brisk if their sold-out spring tour is anything to go by," he said.

Luton Borough Council said it would be announcing more high profile acts over the coming weeks.

"We have been promising everyone for a long time that some of the biggest acts ever to come to Luton will be performing at the festival and we are pleased to let everyone know who the first one is," said council leader Hazel Simmons.

Other events planned for the festival include a carnival parade, fireworks displays and Mela, all leading up to the arrival of the Olympic torch in the town on Sunday 8 July.