MUSIC stars including Ash and The Charlatans are set to appear at the Isle of Wight Festival - the Island's first for 32 years.

But David Bowie - previously rumoured to be topping the bill at the Island's annual pop music celebration - will not be there.

According to festival organisers, Bowie had expressed "positive interest" in appearing, but the date clashed with another festival.

"We had very positive conversations with David, but unfortunately the festival was just too close to the Meltdown Festival in London," said a spokeswoman.

But she added: "We have still got an excellent line-up."

The festival, to be held from June 3 to 16, is expected to attract thousands of music fans. It has been organised as a follow-up to the famous 1970 Isle of Wight Festival, which was seen as the British answer to America's Woodstock festival, one of the defining moments of the hippy era. It attracted more than 500,000 music fans.

As well as established favourites such as Ash and The Charlatans, the two-week event will include appearances by the up-and-coming likes of Starsailor and local band The Bees. The Charlatans will headline the launch concert at Seaclose Park, Newport, on June 3. The band is currently riding the crest of a wave, having scooped the NME Carling Award for Outstanding Contribution on Monday.

There are also plans to add an eighth, local, band to the line-up.

Welcoming the festival, Councillor Shirley Smart, leader of the Isle of Wight Council, said: "It's terribly exciting to have such a fantastic line-up and we are so proud to be reintroducing the Isle of Wight Festival on such a quality note."

Details of ticket outlets have yet to be announced.