THE Isle of Wight Festival has been given the go-ahead after organisers reached an agreement with police over the number of officers attending the event.

A big question mark hung over the festival after police urged councillors not to allow the event, expected to attract more than 70,000 music fans, due to fears about lack of policing.

As a result of the dispute, Island councillors were unable to grant a licence for the event at a licence hearing on Thursday night.

But yesterday Hampshire police confirmed an agreement with festival organisers Solo had been reached, allowing the event to go ahead.

The hearing had been told police had this year asked organisers for between £250,000 and £300,000 towards the cost of policing the event.

Last year the cost to Solo was £120,000.

This year Solo has applied for a three-year licence for the festival, to be headlined in June by the Sex Pistols, the Kaiser Chiefs and the Police. It has asked for permission for an extra 10,000 people to be allowed on the site, raising the capacity to 69,999.

A spokesman for Hampshire police yesterday confirmed an agreement had been reached.

He said: "It was never our intention to prevent the festival going ahead in 2008, but our priority remains that it must be a safe event."

He refused to disclose the exact level of policing agreed or the cost to the Isle of Wight, adding: "Following negotiations with the organisers, we are now satisfied that the arrangements for policing the festival meet our requirements.

"When the licensing committee reconvenes we intend to withdraw our representation."

Solo commercial director Caroline Giddings added: "We are delighted that our negotiations with the police were successful."

The licensing committee is due to review the application at a meeting on April 23.