Laura, whose exit from the talent show last year caused a public outcry, will be making a guest appearance at Wootton's Walk in the Park event in July.

Organisers of the two-day show, which featured the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra two years ago, said they had listened to the young people in the area to decide the line-up for the event, which includes Take That 2 and Girls R Aloud tribute acts.

Stewart Bartley, Wootton and East Hunsbury parish councillor and co-ordinator, said: "I'm quite excited about the Friday night because it has got a mix for the young and the old. The youth project asked for something like this and they are thrilled about it."

The festival will start on Friday, July 3, with an evening of music hosted by Jagger and Woody from Heart FM followed by a free day of entertainment including fund-raising for the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance on Saturday, July 4, at the recreation ground near Wootton Community and Sports Centre in Curtlee Hill.

The event came under fire last year after the parish council revealed the 2007 show made a loss of more than £36,000.

Mr Bartley said: "Walk in the Park has put Wootton and East Hunsbury on the map.

"The RPO still want to come back and play in the park but as we are in a credit crunch, we have had to look at it very carefully.

"It has taken a lot of effort and I am the only parish councillor involved, it's all volunteers.

"The budget for this year is more than last year but we have managed to secure £8,000 worth of funding so the burden on the precept will be no greater."

Some 3,000 people attended last year and leaflets will be distributed to every home in the parish about the year's event.

Tickets booked before March 31 cost £6 for adults, £4 for children and £18 for a family of four and are available online at www.walkintheparkfestival.co.uk.