Lakeman's music is inspired by Dartmoor and its legends

Seth Lakeman will play music from his debut album Kitty Jay in a Johnny Cash-style concert.

Cash, who died last September aged 71, recorded live albums at San Quentin Prison and Folsom Prison during his celebrated career.

Prison governor Claudia Sturt has given Lakeman, 26, the go-ahead to play a gig in the prison's chapel on 5 May.

Talented inmates

Lakeman has travelled the world with folk-rock group Equation and Irish singer Cara Dillon. His debut album consists of songs based on the legends and landscape of Dartmoor, where he lives.

He said: "I sent off a letter not thinking for one minute that the governor would agree, because of the security issues, but she and the staff could not be more helpful.

"The songs I have written for Kitty Jay are inspired by the mysterious and haunting background of Dartmoor and they deal with all kinds of extremes of human behaviour and emotion.

"I am sure these are things that prisoners inside Dartmoor can identify with. I have often passed the walls when I have travelled over the moor and wondered what it was like inside.

"Some of the inmates are talented musicians and I might even invite one or more of them to join me on stage."

Dartmoor Prison sits high on the moor at Princetown, Devon, and has been in use for 200 years.

The prison, which has housed some of Britain's most notorious convicts, is currently striving for a less "hard" image - and that includes more contact with the outside world.