ESSENTIAL FESTIVAL

The Essential 97 Weekender (2-3 Aug) in London's Finsbury Park plays host to more than 100 acts and DJs who will perform over the two days. There will be six separate dance arenas, each housed in a circus big top, and music for all tastes, from the enthusiastic drum'n'bassers, to the brassic beaters, dubsters and jazz lovers.

The headliners for the six stages on Saturday's Dance Day include Massive Attack, Aphex Twin, 808 State, Goldie, Bentley Rhythm Ace and Future Soundz of India.

On Sunday, Roots Day features Lee "Scratch" Perry, Horace Andy, De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, Steel Pulse, Gill Scott Heron and Transglobal Underground.

We have one pair of VIP tickets, plus five pairs of free tickets on offer for each day, plus, courtesy of Bud Ice - one of the Festival sponsors - 10 crates of the bottled lager to give away.

To enter, answer the following question: In which year was Massive Attack's album Blue Lines released? Send your answers on a postcard, with the day that you want to go, by 24 July, to: Eye/ Essential Offer, 9 Church Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1US.

The first correct entry out of the hat for each day will win a pair of VIP tickets and a crate of Bud Ice, the next four out of the hat for each day win a pair of tickets and a crate of Bud Ice. The next card out of the hat for each day gets a pair of tickets.

Entrants must be over 18 years of age. Prizes will be sent to winners' mailing address.

Tickets are pounds 25 per day (in advance) plus booking fee. Information line: 0891 230 190 (calls charged at 50p per min).

For details on disabled access call 01273 889 200.