Glastonbury-goers bring the wellies as rain threatens

Glastonbury revellers woke up to sunshine today - but are likely to see heavy showers before the day is out.

Thousands of festival-goers are already on the Somerset festival site in England, with more expected today, but late arrivals were advised to get their tents up as quickly as possible before heavy rain looked set to dampen proceedings by the afternoon.

The main acts are not due to start until tomorrow, but there is plenty going on across the 1,200 acres of fields to keep revellers entertained beforehand.

The Avalon Cafe will play host to a stream of acts all day in the Field of Avalon, described as like a "village fete gone mad".

Within the late-night Block 9 area, a remembrance party featuring DJ David Morales will be held this evening for house music pioneer Frankie Knuckles, who died suddenly earlier this year.

Those wanting to simply sit back and relax can go to the Pilton Palais - an on-site state-of-the-art 3D cinema, where film-making classes will also be held.

With more than 100 official stages to choose from, organisers have suggested trying the “tapas” approach to the festival by tasting a little bit of everything - or as much as revellers can fit in.

Up to 175,000 people are expected to descend on the fields of Worthy Farm in the small village of Pilton, with this year’s musical extravaganza seeing Arcade Fire, Metallica and Kasabian headline the Pyramid Stage.

Tomorrow's first official day of music will see Elbow, Lily Allen and Rudimental perform on the main stage ahead of Arcade Fire, while other acts across the site include Haim, MIA, Jurassic 5, Metronomy and Kaiser Chiefs.

The family-friendly festival will also see Blondie, Ellie Goulding and Dolly Parton play later on in the weekend with a "singalongaDoll" planned for when the country music queen takes to the stage.

Yesterday, a constant stream of revellers were arriving laden down with bags and rucksacks after the gates opened at 8am, with many pushing wheelbarrows or trolleys full of essential items - with wellies and raincoats top of the list.

Forecasters have said the recent fine weather is not set to last, with heavy downpours expected from this afternoon onwards which could well turn the site into a mud bath.

Andy Ratcliffe, of Meteogroup, said: "By the afternoon there's a growing risk of showery rain arriving from the southwest and it could become heavy.

“The rain will continue into the evening and overnight before clearing to leave clear spells and the odd shower.

“On Friday there’s the potential of some heavy showers, perhaps even a thunderstorm.”

And it is likely that the rest of the weekend will bring more of the same.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said it was not clear how many people were on site by last night, but in previous years around 80 per cent of ticket holders arrived on the Wednesday.

He added: “There’s been a very good start to the festival from our perspective and we hope it stays like that. Obviously the good weather lifts people’s spirits up.”

Press Association