Previous events have been held in Dundee and Sunderland

The two-day event - Europe's biggest free ticketed festival - will take place at Moor Park in May.

Announcing the details from the city's National Football Museum on Monday, DJ Jo Whiley said it promised to be a chance "to enjoy some good music".

Details of artists taking part remain a closely-guarded secret and will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

Radio 1 said a third stage had been added for the 2007 event, allowing even more UK and international acts across a variety of musical styles.

More of the tickets will be distributed to music fans from the Preston and surrounding area, through listeners registering with their postcodes.

About 30,000 fans will attend the two-day event

Speaking after the announcement, Whiley said the event would be a "chance to hang out with your mates and enjoy some good music".

"We've got these colossal tents and we have band after band after band all playing to people who come from Preston and the surrounding areas," she added.

Preston City Council has welcomed the event, with Assistant Director of Leisure, Phil Walsh, hailing it as a "huge boost" for the city.

Broadcast live

"It's going to give the city a massive profile. This is the seventh big weekend and I am hoping it is going to be the best," he said.

Radio 1's roster of DJs will be presenting at Moor Park throughout the weekend and officials said it was a chance for the station to put a national focus on the North West.

The two-day festival, held on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 May, will be broadcast live on Radio 1 and will be available to watch on BBC Three.