Gates open at Glastonbury

The first of 150,000 music fans are starting to arrive at the Glastonbury festival as the gates open to admit revellers.

A host of music acts are taking part in the three-day event from Friday, including Coldplay and Basement Jaxx, who are set to headline the festival.

Organiser of the festival since 1970 Michael Eavis said he has “never felt so good about the show”.

The BBC weather forecast for the weekend is mild, but with some showers.

This year’s festival will offer a wealth of attractions, including circus, cabaret and theatre acts and film screenings.

The John Peel stage, named in memory of the late broadcaster who was a regular at the festival, will play host to a number of bands including former Suede stars The Tears and Maximo Park.

Dance act Basement Jaxx were revealed earlier this month as last-minute replacements for Australian pop star Kylie Minogue.

The 37-year-old was forced to cancel her first appearance at the event after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Mr Eavis, who founded the festival on his farm at Pilton in Somerset, said he was very pleased with the sale of tickets for the event earlier this year.

“I know a lot of people were upset they didn’t get them but you can’t get a quart of milk into a pint bottle,” he said.

“In my opinion it did work a treat. We can’t do better than that, really,” he added.

In 2006 there will be no Glastonbury festival, which Mr Eavis says will be a chance “to stimulate the whole show”.

Source: BBC