Some big beasts of the pop jungle are heading to Kent this summer for a major new music festival expected to draw up to 60,000 fans.

Headline performers including Mark Ronson, Dizzee Rascal and Athlete have been announced for the three-day Zoo Thousand (ZOO8) event at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, which will take place on July 4, 5 and 6.

The festival organisers have pledged to make a donation to The Aspinall Foundation, the charity that owns Port Lympne, which will go towards the caring for the animals.

And while the stars will not quite rubbing shoulders with the tigers and rhinos on the 600-acre park, festival-goers will be able to visit the animal enclosures at a reduced rate.

Festival director Matt Dice said he was particularly pleased that Mark Ronson, who has had a string of chart hits including Valerie in collaboration with Amy Winehouse, would be playing at the event.

“I’m delighted to announce that Mark Ronson will be coming to Kent – it is a fantastic coup for us,” he said.

“Mark is a world-renowned artist who has enjoyed huge success in this country and will be great headliner for Zoo Thousand.”

Further sets come from more than 100 acts across a range of genres, from Yorkshire rock three-piece The Cribs to Mercury Music Prize winning drum’n’bass collective Roni Size and Reprazent.

Other popular names on the bill include Funeral for a Friend, The Young Knives, Does it Offend You, Yeah? and old favourites Chas and Dave.

Matt added: “It has been a real triumph for us to secure such great artists for the first Zoo Thousand music festival.

“We look forward to welcoming the best names in live music to our beautiful site at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park for a weekend of fun.”

The capacity of the venue is 20,000, with camping provided on site. Tickets £99 for the weekend and £45 for a standard day ticket. There are concessions and group discounts, and well as discounts for early booking.

For more information about tickets visit www.zoothousand.com