HAMPSHIRE'S biggest live music festival seems to have won the battle against the weather and more than 12,000 people are expected to descend on the Wickham Festival for a four-day extravaganza of music and arts.
Top rock band Jethro Tull started proceedings last night along with Australian band The Spooky Mens Chorale.
Summer downpours had put the festival in doubt as other Hampshire events suffered, including the Netley Marsh Steam Rally which had to be cancelled.
Festival organiser Peter Chegwyn and his staff have worked tirelessly to beat the weather and get everything ready.
Mr Chegwyn said: "We couldn't let our audience down. People are travelling from as far away as America, Australia and Nicaragua to attend so we just had to get the show on.
"Now the sun is shining we're expecting record crowds for a really relaxed and family-friendly event on the out-skirts of one of Hampshire's most beautiful villages."
n For more information on the festival see Scene South on page 36 or visit www.wickhamfestival.co.uk.
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