Victoria NichollsWelsh superstar Tom Jones is to wow crowds at this year's Latitude Festival, just weeks after the plug was pulled on his concert at Carrow Road.His appearance is a major coup for organisers of Latitude, now one of the region's biggest music and arts festivals, who revealed today that they are to showcase one of the most famous singers on the planet.Victoria Nicholls

Welsh superstar Tom Jones is to wow crowds at this year's Latitude Festival, just weeks after the plug was pulled on his concert at Carrow Road.

His appearance is a major coup for organisers of Latitude, now one of the region's biggest music and arts festivals, who revealed today that they are to showcase one of the most famous singers on the planet.

The news broke via social networking site Twitter, before organisers confirmed that Sir Tom is due to take to the stage during the festival, which runs from July 15 - 18.

The legendary Delilah singer will give a special performance of songs from his forthcoming album 'Praise & Blame' at midnight on the Thursday night on the secluded and magical stage In The Woods, which follows a warm-up from Les Clochards.

Sir Tom's landmark album comes in the singer's 70th year, and marks the next stage of his roller-coaster 45-year career. The songs from 'Praise & Blame' (released on July 26) are from a repertoire that includes American traditional, gospel and country, and which see Jones go back to his roots to create a truly evocative musical work, aided by producer/musician Ethan Johns.

He said of his new album: 'It's food for thought, it's real, it's natural, and in that sense it's truly me.'

The surprise news will excite previously disappointed fans of the Sexbomb singer from across East Anglia who will have the chance to see their idol, after his June 5 concert was postponed by Norwich City Football Club because of work to extend the stadium's capacity. But only those with tickets will get to see him perform at the Suffolk venue, as despite the recession and an increase the capacity by 5,000, the festival has already sold out in record time.

This year's Latitude is expected to draw 35,000 people to the beautiful Henham Estate near Southwold.

The festival, which has grown year-on-year, now attracts not only big crowds but big-name performers, many of whom approach organisers to ask to take part in the event.

Now in its fifth year, Latitude looks set for another success, with a line-up this summer of 700 performers across many genres of music, art, theatre, literature and comedy.

Headliners include Brit Award winners Florence and the Machine, indie pop band Belle and Sebastian, New York indie rock quartet Vampire Weekend and Australian electric music duo Empire of the Sun.

Violin virtuoso Nigel Kennedy popular indie band James and pop group The Feeling will also take to the stage during the four-day festival.

The announcement also revealed that comedians Stephen K Amos, Kevin Eldon and Dominic Holland are to appear on stage.