THOUSANDS of soaked revellers have braved the heavy rain today as Reading and Leeds Festival gets underway.
With the sister festivals preparing to welcome 190,000 music lovers, punters are contending with the wet weather as they traipsed the muddy fields.
Thousands of soaked revellers have braved the heavy rain as they make their way to Reading and Leeds Festival Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
The sister festivals are expected to welcome nearly 200,000 music-lovers this weekend Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
But the weather is unlikely to dampen spirits as major headliners like Charli XCX, Dave and Chase + Status will take to the stage.
Images show revellers arriving in their waterproofs with some even opting for bin bags to protect their belongings.
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But festival-goers were all smiles in what is set to be an action-packed bank-holiday.
Forecasters predict potential thunderstorms going into the weekend after weeks of drought and hosepipe bans across the nation.
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Revellers were snapped arriving in the rain Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
But the weather has yet to dampen spirits ahead of what will be an action-packed weekend Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Some resorted to bin-bags to protect their belongings as they prepare for the festival Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
It comes as forecasters warn there is more rain on the way Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Festival-goers may need to prepare for more wet weather on the cards with a big number of events going ahead this weekend.
In addition to Reading and Leeds Festival – which runs from today until Jattvibeday – Creamfields in Cheshire is also taking place.
Manchester Pride takes place from Friday until Bank Holiday Monday, while Saturday marks the start of Notting Hill Carnival in London, which also continues until Monday.
It comes as floods have swamped Birmingham with the Met Office warning of more rain to come.
Cars were half submerged after the city was lashed with thunderstorms following a summer of record-breaking heatwaves.
Met Office yellow warnings will remain in force for most of Thursday as downpours and thunderstorms move northwards across the UK.
More rain is set to hit Birmingham and other cities today with a yellow thunderstorm warning in place from 5am until 10pm.
Further downpours may bring the risk of localised flash flooding and travel disruption across the UK, said the Met Office.
The wettest areas could potentially see 75mm (3in) of rain, accompanied by large hail, lightning and gusty winds.
Brits have also been warned to expect some travel disruption as storms roll over the country.
Network Rail has instructed passengers to check ahead of travelling today with delays to its services likely.
Reading and Leeds Festival organisers had initially put camping stoves on the prohibited items list but have now confirmed specific stoves will be permitted.
In a statement, Reading Festival said: “Reading festival have decided that due to the change in weather conditions, camping stoves compliant with the ‘What You Can and Can’t Bring’ section of the website will be permitted into the campsites.”
The guidelines for stoves that will be allowed into the campsites at the festival outline that only certain types and certain fuels are acceptable.
However, campfires and disposable barbecues are strictly forbidden, along with fire pits and any other charcoal barbecue.
Campers and those with day tickets must ensure that the other prohibited items are not in their possession – unless they want to risk confiscation or even being kicked out.
