Star's summer concerts plea

Actor Warren Mitchell is objecting to plans to hold back-to-back concerts on Hampstead Heath this summer.

The actor and 50 other residents want Camden council to restrict the open-air gigs at Kenwood House to one per weekend.

Mitchell, who lives near the heath with his wife Connie, has written to Camden to complain that events firm IMG has booked singer Katie Melua and the City of London Sinfonia on successive nights over the August bank holiday weekend.

IMG hopes to be awarded a public entertainment licence by councillors tomorrow for its summer programme at Kenwood House. The first concert is on 2 July, featuring Elvis Costello. Mitchell cites "traffic congestion, parking problems and loss of Kenwood as an open space" in his appeal.

IMG's Gudrun Allsobrook said: "The site is enclosed by fencing and security staff are employed. We liaise directly with local police and fire services and coordinate with Kenwood House.

"We also liaise closely with local residents' groups. Crime and anti-social behaviour have not been a problem."