IT WAS a case of stormy weather for Gosport Festival, but the masses defied the elements as the music burst over Fort Brockhurst last night.

James Brown and Big Brother Soul entertained a bumper audience just hours after organisers had to work desperately to mop up after the arena in the Victorian fort was swamped by a rainstorm.

Organiser Peter Chegwyn said it was lucky the rain came earlier in the day before the festival got under way.

He commented: "Water leaked on to the stage, but luckily we had not erected the sound system before the storm broke otherwise the electrics could have been affected.

"The show goes on. Fort Brockhurst drains really well and the water soon drained away."

Mr Chegwyn said indications were that the festival was on track to be a great success.

"James Brown is the biggest star Gosport has ever seen and we are looking forward to four great nights'' he said. "Tickets are going steadily. It costs around £250,000 to stage the festival, so we won't know if we are going to break even at this stage."

Tonight Atomic Kitten and Rolf Harris and his band are in action from 7pm, while tomorrow the SAS Band, featuring Roger Taylor, Leo Sayer and the Fabba Girls are on stage.

The curtain comes down on the festival on Sunday night with a Last Night of the Proms classical concert from 6pm.

The festival venue is close to the large residential area of Brockhurst, Hardway and Elson and many residents could sample the music by just standing in their gardens or opening their windows.