ONE OF the most distinctive voices in music — Heather Small — is to headline Sunday night at next year's Jack Up The Summer.

The fun-filled retro festival returns next August and is bringing artists unable to perform at last year's event, due to the weather — Heaven 17, Aswad and The Strangler's frontman Hugh Cornwell.

Other pre-confirmed acts include Big Country and From The Jam.

After selling several million records, winning two Brit Awards and the Mercury Music Prize, Heather Small is one of the country’s most successful female recording artists.

Her career began in the late '80s when she featured on the re-recorded version of UK number one single Ride on Time by Black Box — the highest-selling single of 1989.

She then shot to fame in the late '90s as the lead singer of dance outfit M People, known for hits including Moving On Up, One Night In Heaven and Search For The Hero.

Heather became one of the most influential artists of the 90s and beyond, and her rich and distinctive voice earned her the reputation of being one of Britain's most accomplished soul divas.

She also had great success with two solo albums – the title track of her Proud album went on to become the soundtrack to a whole host of special events including London’s successful 2012 Olympic bid, the 60th anniversary of VE Day in Trafalgar Square and the official ceremony marking the handover of the Olympic Games from Beijing to London.

Heather appeared in the Big Top at the Isle of Wight Festival earlier this year.

She said: “I absolutely love the Isle of Wight and heard so many great things about Jack Up during my recent time here that I just had to make it my next port of call.

"It’s so important to support the smaller homegrown events and Jack Up The Summer has a longstanding history, which is truly something to be both commended and celebrated as it’s a tough market out there these days.”

With the Friday included in the price of Weekend tickets next year and gates opening even earlier, there’s more to look forward to at the 2020 festival.

Mainstream Early Bird tickets for Jack Up The Summer go on sale on Monday, December 9, online at jackupthesummer.co.uk and at the County Press office in Newport.

The earlier you buy the more you save, and children aged 12 and under go free.

Teen tickets for 13-17 year olds are half price.

For those who cannot wait, The Price Is Wight is currently offering Pre Early Bird tickets for a limited time.

Jack Up the Summer takes place at North Fairlee Farm, on August 7, 8 and 9.