Glastonbury 2009: Friday preview

Glastonbury Festival revellers are bracing themselves more torrential thunderstorms. The site was hit by a deluge on Thursday night, but the rain failed to stop music fans enjoying the event's first day. Campers donned wellies, ducked for cover and consoled themselves with forecasts of better weather to come. Festival-goer David Harris, 27, from Oxford said: "The weather has been sunny and rainy on and off throughout the early evening. So we've got used to it and are just concentrating on enjoying the bands. People are coming out when the sun does and taking cover when it gets wet. "The rain certainly hasn't stopped us enjoying ourselves even though it was torrential rain with thunder and lightning for about half and hour this evening." "No one seems worried about the weather to come. We're going to listen to some music, put on our wellies, and have as much fun as possible." A bigger challenge for many arriving was finding a spare patch of field to pitch a tent, he added. The skies could be clear by the time headliners Lily Allen and Neil Young take to the stage later, according to forecaster Meteogroup. Controversial popster Allen, Ska pioneers The Specials and rock legend Neil Young head up the bill on the Pyramid Stage. Dance diva Lady GaGa, who famously appeared on Jonathan Ross' show with a large tea cup, will grace on the Other Stage. Bruce Springsteen - The Boss - and urban MC Dizzee Rascal provide a diverse display of talents on Saturday. Pete Doherty - one time lover of Kate Moss - is also playing the Other Stage. In 2005, storms and flash flooding caused havoc at the site, with many festival-goers having to use their tents as makeshift boats to float around waterlogged areas. In 2007, more rain ensured a similar mudbath, though a new draining system meant a repeat of 2005 was avoided.

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ITN | June 26, 2009

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