Fatboy Slim hosts NI beach party

Fatboy Slim will perform on Portrush beach in June

One of the world's top DJs is set to attract tens of thousands of people to a County Antrim beach.

Fatboy Slim, aka Norman Cook, will perform at Portrush Strand in June.

The musician is no stranger to massive beach parties and has held successful gigs on Brighton beach and at Flamengo Beach in Rio de Janeiro.

Last month, Fatboy Slim took part in Salvador's carnival, one of the world's biggest street parties. Up to two million attended the six-day event.

The promoter of the 17 June Portrush beach party, Gary McGuigan, said there would be "seven hours of world-class music".

"Fatboy Slim is bringing with him a 40ft x 40ft video wall, which has been used at Mount Fuji, Electric Picnic in Dublin and Rio de Janeiro - so we are really getting a world-class act here."

Accommodation and restaurants

Jim Curry of Coleraine Borough Council said it had many years experience of dealing with major events.

"These include the Milk Cup and the North West 200. This event is no different," he said.

"We have carried out a major risk assessment for it, we have consulted widely, we have infrastructure in place in regard to guest houses and hotel accommodation and restaurants.

"We have a very safe and secure site. Most importantly we are liaising with the trade for those who want to stay in Portrush and make a weekend of it - we have the nightclubs in place and we have the bars as well."

In July 2002, a beach party for 250,000 fans in Brighton ended with security officials struggling to control the larger-than-expected crowd.

The show was barred in 2003 because of safety fears after emergency crews had difficulty negotiating the crowds.