OPEN air concerts staged at Sherwood Pines Forest Park have attracted almost 70,000 music fans in the past eight years.
New figures released by the Forestry Commission underline the success of high-profile gigs by Pulp, Travis, UB40 and Madness, which have helped raise cash for eco-projects across the East Midlands.
Paul Weller holds the record for the fasting selling gig for his first Sherwood appearance in 2005, with his return concert on 19th June this year also a rapid seller, reaching its 5,000 capacity in just a few weeks.
Other lock-outs include Embrace in 2006 and The Beautiful South in 2005. Chart toppers McFly, who play on 20th June, have now passed the 4,000 sales mark, helping further boost figures.
Concert organiser Chris Bray said: "The new statistics make fascinating reading. Staging mega open air gigs in the heart of Sherwood raised lots of eyebrows at first. But the public have given us terrific backing."
The Forestry Commission has flagged up some of the green projects to have benefited from the gigs.
They include an accelerated programme of heathland creation in the 1,200-hectare forest park, a key habitat for the rare nocturnal nightjar bird.
Tickets for McFly are still available priced at £26.50, subject to a booking fee, and can be bought at www.forestry.gov.uk/music or by contacting the hotline 01842 814612. 